Tom Kerridge Group announces series of head chef appointments

The Tom Kerridge Group has announced a series of head chef appointments across its restaurants including Tom De Keyser named as the new head chef at the Hand and Flowers in Marlow, the UK’s only two-Michelin-starred pub.

He replaces Jamie May, who after 10 years at the pub is taking a new role as butcher and chef executive at Kerridge’s Butcher’s Tap and Grill, also in Marlow.

De Keyser has worked for Kerridge for nine years and was previously head chef at Michelin-starred the Coach in Marlow. In his new role he will continue showcase the Hand and Flowers’ signature dishes, including deep-fried turbot with chips, Avruga caviar tartare sauce and minted pea puree; and the Essex lamb ‘bun’ with sweetbreads and salsa verde.

Meanwhile, Sarah Hayward is leaving her role as head chef at Kerridge’s Bull and Bear in Manchester’s Stock Exchange hotel to become head chef at the Coach, where she was previously sous chef for two years. She is one of three female head chefs within Kerridge’s group and has worked with him for over seven years.

Connor Black will step into the head chef role at the Bull and Bear. He has been with Kerridge since he was a 16-year-old apprentice and is currently sous chef role at the Hand and Flowers and head chef at the Shed, the restaurant’s 10-cover private dining room.

Black will be helping to evolve the Bull and Bear menu to align with Kerridge’s Bar and Grill, the restaurant at the Corinthia hotel in London which serves a three-course, a la carte offering.

Kerridge said: “Tom is an incredible chef and it’s an absolute pleasure to promote him to head chef at the Hand and Flowers. I’ve watched him hone his skills over time and I’m so proud and excited to see what the future holds.

“Jamie has been with me for many years, he is an exceptional chef, and the time is right for a new challenge, he is so creative and we have some really exciting plans for the Butcher’s Tap and Grill going forwards.

“And Sarah is a remarkable chef and real team player, she knows the Coach inside out and will lead from the front, whilst Connor’s cooking skills are amazing, it’s time for him to head up a busy and buzzy kitchen and develop it into something really special.

“I’m incredibly excited to make these changes and to have so many staff that have been with me for many years, I feel that we are in a really strong position to grow the business and I’m excited about the future.”