Chef Simon Radley to leave the Chester Grosvenor hotel

Chef Simon Radley is to leave the Chester Grosvenor after more than 30 years working at the hotel.

He will step down from his role as executive chef and director of catering at the five-red-AA-star Cheshire property in October to pursue other opportunities.

The chef currently heads up the Simon Radley at the Chester Grosvenor restaurant, which has held a Michelin star since 1990, as well as the hotel's La Brasserie and catering across its events spaces. The main restaurant will trade under Radley's name until the end of the year, with the hotel planning a relaunch of the space in January 2022.

"My career at the Chester Grosvenor has spanned decades and I will leave what has become like a second home to me with many fond memories," said Radley.

"My proudest achievement, aside from the wonderful external accolades we've achieved, has been bringing some amazing home-grown talent through the ranks of the kitchen. By training our brigade ourselves, we managed to consistently keep our standards high and our team motivated. I like to think we have contributed to raising the bar throughout the Northern restaurant scene with some of the brilliant chefs that came through our kitchens going on to do great things.

"I leave the hotel in a strong position, despite these uncertain times, with an excellent kitchen and restaurant team. It is in superb shape to continue providing our customers with the consistency and excellence they have come to expect from a Chester Grosvenor experience."

After his departure the chef will take a short sabbatical before moving on to new projects. "As many chefs know, this work is a vocation, and I look forward to the next chapter, whatever that may be," he said.