Whitbread hires former Gaucho chef for Beefeater
Whitbread has appointed former Gaucho head chef Paul Fletcher as the new brand research and development chef for Beefeater.
Fletcher will train Beefeater chefs, as well as help to create new menu offerings.
He has 16 years' experience in restaurants, including spells at Scott's of Mayfair, and Harvey Nichols 5th Floor. He was also the area head chef of London for Jamie's Italian and spent six years at Gaucho where he oversaw the opening of its Piccadilly site.
Fletcher said: "Beefeater is a brand many British people hold with true affection - myself included. This role is the perfect platform to develop the new exciting ideas myself and the team has planned for steak dining. Beefeater is dedicated to developing their food offering for the customer and delivering great dining experiences all over the country, which is already evident in the new spring/summer menu that has recently launched.
"I am extremely excited to expand the future menus and offerings, working with the dedicated Beefeater teams across the estate to implement new ways of working, cooking and serving the delicious new additions to the menu. It's very important to me and the brand to continue serving our guests with a traditional Beefeater offering, but at the same time challenge every dish on the menu to make it better and give our quests an overall better dining experience."
Ron Lento, director of food and beverage for Whitbread Restaurants, added: "Paul is an incredibly talented chef, proven by his strong track record and fantastic credentials and understands how to deliver a quality menu across a multi-site estate. We are delighted to have him on board to continue to develop the food credentials at Beefeater.
"Paul's appointment at Beefeater is one of the many changes across the restaurant brand as it continues to grow and evolve, while keeping more than 12 million people happy each year with a great menu which includes - of course - great tasting steak. "
Beefeater, founded in 1974, has over 140 restaurants nationwide. Steak and chips in its restaurants start from £9.99, and daytime menu dishes start from £4.99.
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