Britain's Youngest Head Chef Luke Thomas to open new restaurant

Britain's youngest head chef, Luke Thomas, is set to open a new restaurant, Luke's Broadway, at the Lygon Arms in Broadway in the Cotswolds.

The move, in partnership with Puma Hotels Collection, will see the 19-year-old launch a 35-seat bistro on 19 June.

Thomas will remain chef patron of Luke's Dining Room at Sanctum on the Green in Cookham Dean, near Marlow, Berkshire, where he began his professional career in spring 2012. A former winner of the FutureChef competition, Thomas's recent appearance on BBC Three show Britain's Youngest Head Chef attracted criticism from some other chefs that he was too young to run a professional kitchen. But Thomas later responded by claiming that he wouldn't let the comments affect him.

Typical dishes at his latest restaurant venture will include Crayfish cocktail with gem lettuce, radish and green apple; Crispy duck salad with pink grapefruit and soused red onion; Cod, haricot beans, chorizo and heritage tomato; and Slow-cooked rump of lamb, wild garlic, goat's curd, Jersey Royals and salsa verde. Prices for starters will be from £5, main courses from £13.50, and desserts will be from £5.50.

Fredrik Korallus, chief executive of Puma Hotels' Collection (formerly Barcelo UK), which operates the Lygon Arms, said: "Luke Thomas has the vision, passion and culinary talent needed to add excitement to Broadway. Luke will provide an inspiring reason to dine and stay in Broadway."

Korallus has led a shake-up of the hotel group since his appointment in November last year, with a string of new general manager appointments at some of the group's 21 hotels.

Luke Thomas added: "The legacy of the Lygon Arms, the beautiful Cotswolds setting and a new partnership with Puma Hotels inspired me to engage in this new venture. Luke's Broadway will give me the chance to work in a small, bistro environment, using great local produce and collaborating with the expert team at the hotel."

The four-star Lygon Arms has a history dating back to the 16th century and is reputed to be where Oliver Cromwell stayed in 1651, the night before the Battle of Worcester. Charles I also used one of the hotel's rooms, which had a hidden exit to keep his romances secret. The hotel has 77 rooms, including seven suites, some dating back to 1532.

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