Tom Brown announces James Toth as new head chef for Cornerstone

James Toth has been promoted to head chef at Cornerstone in Hackney, chef-patron Tom Brown has confirmed.

Speaking to The Caterer, Brown said he promoted Toth from sous-chef to the newly created role as “he is everything you want from a head chef”. He added that Toth’s promotion would give his brigade of seven a “stronger structure in the hierarchy”.

Brown said: “He leads the team well, he’s a great positive influence in the kitchen and he fits the Cornerstone family so well. Everyone gets involved together and James is a driving force in that.

Classically-trained Toth joined Cornerstone in June 2019 having previously worked at the Cross at Kennilworth under chef-director Adam Bennett.

Brown added: “His style of food is similar to mine. It’s no frills, no pissing around. It’s very flavour-based, it’s about what goes on the plate. There is no egocentricity to the cooking – it’s the perfect Cornerstone ethos.”

“It’s probably not the best time to be dishing out pay rises, but I’ve felt that people who come good deserve recognition.

“The cream always rises to the top. Cornerstone is only going to get better and better.”

Brown, who competed on BBC Two's 2017 Great British Menu and was awarded one of The Caterer's Acorn Awards in 2017 launched his debut restaurant, named after his favourite Arctic Monkeys song, in April 2018.