Adam Simmonds appointed chef patron at the Megaro hotel

Adam Simmonds has joined the Megaro hotel in Kings Cross, London, as chef patron.

The chef will join the property in June to refresh the menu at the hotel’s Italian Spagnoletti restaurant to move it away from its “solo” pasta lab concept, before working on a new signature restaurant.

Simmonds has most recently run kitchens at the Capital hotel and Belmond Cadogan, both in London. He was executive chef of Danesfield House in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, for six years, where he won Chef of the Year (fewer than 250 covers) at the 2011 Hotel Cateys.

At Spagnoletti he will serve dishes including La Latteria burrata with peas, coriander, lemon and summer truffle; open ravioli of scallop with morels, broad beans, confit garlic and ginger; and Veal Milanese with brown butter and chervil.

Simmonds said: “I am super-excited to be joining the Megaro hotel as chef patron. We share the same vision and direction, which is so refreshing. Because of this, it will be so much more than simply a place to work, but rather a partnership. I can’t wait for the guests to come on this journey with us, whether that’s at Spagnoletti or the new restaurant later in the year.”

The Megaro’s director of operations Erika Visentin Bonomo added: “Whether it’s building UK restaurants to Michelin-star quality, winning TV’s The Great British Menu, launching pioneering London pop-up the Test Kitchen or addressing mental health issues in the hospitality sector as an ambassador for the Burnt Chef Project, Adam is undoubtedly one of the UK’s most brilliant, innovative and committed culinary superstars. We couldn’t be more delighted to have him as a partner.”