Chef Sally Abé to leave the Pem at Conrad London St James

Chef Sally Abé will be leaving Conrad London St James after four years at the helm of the Pem.

 

The restaurant opened in July 2021 with an all-female senior team and was Abé’s first major project following her departure from the Michelin-starred London pub, the Harwood Arms, where she was head chef.

 

The hotel’s owner, Hilton, invested £1.75m into the construction of the new signature restaurant, pub, afternoon tea lounge and cocktail bar when Abé joined as consultant chef.

 

Named after suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, who was nicknamed ‘Pem’ by her close family, the 70-cover diner offered a modern twist on dishes inspired by historic British cuisine.

 

A spokesperson for Conrad London St James confirmed: “We’re hugely grateful to Sally for her culinary leadership over the last four years, taking the hotel’s dining venues from strength to strength, building a strong culture of inclusion and empowering many up and coming women to forge a fulfilling career in our industry. We wish her all the best in her next endeavours.

 

“The Pem will continue to offer guests an exceptional dining experience following Sally’s departure, and we look forward to sharing more detail about plans for the restaurant soon.”

 

The Pem closed for an extensive three-month refurbishment in summer 2023, during which a new kitchen was fitted, while dishes such as dressed Dorset crab, Violino pumpkin, vadouvan, buttermilk; hand dived Orkney XL scallops, Jerusalem artichoke, black garlic, sea herbs; and tarte fine of wood pigeon were added to the menu.

 

Meanwhile, Abé is continuing her exclusive partnership with independent caterer Houston & Hawkes for a third year.

 

She said: “Collaborating with Houston & Hawkes has been a rewarding journey. Witnessing the team’s growth and their unwavering commitment to quality has been inspiring. I am excited to continue our work together, pushing culinary boundaries and nurturing talent within the industry.”

 

David Steel, director of food at Houston & Hawkes, added: “Sally’s involvement has been transformative for our culinary team. Her passion and expertise have not only elevated our food standards but have also inspired our chefs to innovate and excel. We look forward to furthering this collaboration and achieving new milestones together.”