Spencer Metzger announces departure from the Ritz London

Spencer Metzger has left the Ritz London after 13 years at the hotel.

Posting the news on Instagram last night (1 August), the former head chef said: “End of an Era. After 13 years of working at the Ritz London my time has come to move on from the amazing establishment I’ve been privileged to call home for so long. A journey which I will never forget, a journey which has taught me so much not only about cooking, but about true hospitality.”

He added: “John Williams is not only an inspiration as a chef, but a true gentleman and mentor. Thank you to everyone past and present who I had have the privilege of working with, especially to Deepak Mallya, Ian Musgrave and Lewis Wilson.”

Metzger was 15 when he first met Williams on a two-week work experience opportunity at the Ritz. He joined as a commis chef soon after and became sous chef in 2015.

After a brief stint as chef de partie at L’Enclume in Cumbria in 2017, Metzger returned to the Ritz to oversee a brigade of 75.

While premier sous chef of the Ritz, Metzger was awarded the 2019 Roux Scholarship, where he impressed the judges with his version of monkfish blanquette and langoustines with a Champagne sauce, saffron basmati rice and asparagus subrics.

He told The Caterer after his win: "I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t have dreams about running my own place one day.”

Metzger was then named a 2021 Acorn Award winner for his “thirst for learning” and his ability to use his platform “to engage with industry professionals and charities and to elevate the craft of hospitality”.

After his promotion to head chef of the Ritz in July 2021, Metzger was named Great British Menu Champion of Champions 2022.

In October 2022, he received the Master of Culinary Arts (MCA) from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts.

Metzger ended his Instagram post with: “As one door closes, another one opens and I look forward to sharing my next move very soon.”