Tom Barnes returns to Simon Rogan to head up Rogan & Co

Chef Tom Barnes is to work with Simon Rogan once again, as he takes up the role of chef-patron of Rogan & Co in Cartmel, Cumbria.

Barnes (pictured second left) was previously head chef at Rogan's two-Michelin-starred L'Enclume before leaving to spend a year at the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant Geranium in Copenhagen.

Barnes, who won the 2014 Roux Scholarship, began at L'Enclume as a chef de partie at the start of 2011 and worked his way up to become head chef by spring 2014.

He held the position for over three years, running the kitchen on a day-to-day basis and working alongside Rogan on menu development and team training.

Commenting on his appointment to Rogan & Co, which holds three AA rosettes and offers a more relaxed experience than its two-Michelin-starred sister restaurant, Barnes said: "I'm really proud to be back to work with Simon and start my new position as chef patron at Rogan & Co.

"I have been very lucky to have worked alongside Simon at L'Enclume and have had a very rewarding career already within the business.

"It feels right to return to the team now, and to my home in the Lake District. I'm very excited, driven and ambitious, and am ready for this new challenge."

Rogan said: "I'm really excited that Tom is re-joining our team.

"He was a brilliant head chef at L'Enclume and his return to the business has been met with real enthusiasm by the whole team up here in the Lake District.

"Having worked with Tom for years I know that he shares my ethos of working with the best possible ingredients and for creating authentic, delicious dishes.

"I'm confident that he will being some exciting new developments to Rogan & Co with his new role and really look forward to seeing what the future holds."

Barnes' return coincides with that of several other former team members.

A number of former members of the original Roganic line-up rejoined when the restaurant opened in a permanent site in London in January this year, including head chef Oliver Marlow and general manager James Foster.

Simon Rogan set to take over L'Autre Pied site for Roganic >>

Restaurant Nathan Outlaw takes top spot in Good Food Guide 2018 >>

Simon Rogan set for London return >>

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