The Stafford London appoints Simon Ulph as executive head chef

The Stafford London has appointed Simon Ulph of Lympstone Manor as its executive head chef as the hotel prepares to relaunch its flagship restaurant.

Last month, it was confirmed Lympstone Manor in Devon had joined the Stafford Collection, following the hotel group’s appointment of chef Michael Caines as its culinary strategist in April.

Prior to joining Lympstone Manor, Ulph also held a head chef role at Northcote in Lancashire, which was formerly part of the Stafford Collection before its sale to new owners Silkstone Finance.

Ulph started his career in the industry as a commis chef at the Swan in West Malling, which was co-owned by Pete Cornwell, founder of I’ll Be Mother restaurant group.

In 2012, during a pop-up at the London Olympics, Ulph met the ‘Iron Chef’ Masaharu Morimoto, who invited him to work at his restaurant Morimoto Napa in California, where he developed a passion for Japanese and Asian flavours.

He has also worked for Robert Thompson’s restaurant Thompson’s in Newport on the Isle of Wight, as well as the Twenty Six in Tunbridge Wells in Kent.

He will now be based in London to lead the kitchen at the Stafford London’s upcoming restaurant, which is scheduled to open in September in the former site of Game Bird, helmed by chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen at the time.

Ulph will work closely with Caines to devise a menu championing seasonal British ingredients.

Front of house will continue to be led by Luca Gaeta, the restaurant manager of the Game Bird, who brings more than 15 years’ experience in the industry.

John McLean, managing director of the Stafford Collection, said: “Simon’s appointment, alongside the wealth of experience from both our in-house and Lympstone Manor teams, sets the stage for a truly outstanding restaurant opening. We look forward to sharing Michael Caines’ remarkable food and hospitality style with our guests here in London."

The Stafford London is a 106-bedroom luxury hotel dating back to 1912. It also features four private dining rooms, a 400-year-old wine cellar, the American Bar and its soon-to-launch restaurant.