MANCHESTER’S Palace Hotel has announced the appointment of an outstanding new kitchen team as well as a partnership with one of the city’s most popular events, the Manchester Food and Drink Festival that includes hosting their Gala Dinner and Awards.
Exec chef will be much-travelled Steve Wilson, who has worked with many of Manchester and latterly the world’s best chefs, banqueting chef is Paul Speakman, charged with bringing the establishment’s new culinary philosophy to all 17 of its dining areas, while Alex Worrall will be head chef at The Refuge Public Bar & Dining Room by Volta – epicentre of the wind of change raging though thisiconic landmark on the corner of Oxford Street and Whitworth Street. (Main picture is Worrall, Wilson and Speakman)
As the icing on the cake of a sensational multi-million transformation of the hotel, built in 1895 as Refuge Assurance HQ, the owners entrusted an unlikely duo to create a food and drink offering to match... and they look to have done them proud.
Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (above, of “Unambombers” DJ fame) have won near universal acclaim for Volta, their Burton Road bistro in West Didsbury, but The Refuge is a whole new enormous challenge. Taste of Manchester had a sneak preview recently and it all looked truly sensational. Volta Storm The Palace – a Food Revolution in the Making we enthused.
Now we and the city eagerly await the September 12 launch and then the VIP that truly puts it in the spotlight – hosting this year’s Manchester Food and Drink Festival Gala Dinner and Awards on Monday, October 10. The glittering event will take place in the Palace’s gloriously redeveloped Ballroom and will be hosted by BBC Radio Manchester’s Becky Want and XS Manchester’s Matt White. Tickets are on sale now at this link.
The reborn Palace has also been selected as Official Hotel Partner to MFDF 2016 – the UK’s biggest urban food and drink festival. This year’s festival is taking place from September 29 to October 10. As well as providing accommodation offers for festival goers and hosting their own special events, the hotel partnership will culminate with Awards Dinner and Presentation.
So no pressure there then on that accomplished trio of chefs!
Steven Wilson: Executive Chef
Steve’s illustrious kitchen career has taken him right around the world and back again. Originally from Edinburgh, Steve came to Manchester back in 1998 working with some of the city’s most exciting chefs and venues at the time, including the opening of Reform with Robert Owen Brown, and the late Eli Leconte. He also opened The Lowry Hotel’s River Restaurant under Eyck Zimmer.
His career then literally took him around the globe, working with some of the world’s top chefs including René Redzepi, Massimo Bottura, Pierre Gagnaire, Paco Torreblanca, Ferran Adria and Raymond Blanc. After globetrotting that took in the Maldives, Oman and Thailand, he is finally home, working with the Volta team and the banqueting brigade to ensure an exceptional culinary experience whether it’s dinner and drinks at The Refuge or a banquet for 300 in the Ballroom.
Paul Speakman: Banqueting Head Chef
Originally from Bolton, Paul’s 23 year long career has seen him work under the likes of Marco Pierre White and Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer. After honing his craft in London, he returned to Manchester to work at The Lowry Hotel, where he cooked alongside both Wilson and Worrall. After stints perfecting large-scale dining at Manchester Central and Manchester Town Hall’s banqueting, Paul is heading up all 17 of The Palace’s private dining and events spaces – from the Ballroom to the smallest of the Clock Tower meeting rooms.
Alex Worrall: Refuge Head Chef
He has cooked under the likes of Tetsuya Wakuda in Sydney and Marco Pierre White at The Oak Room. His breadth of experience takes in as many small independents as it does global superstars with stints at Red in Westhoughton, Victor’s in Hale, and Reform in Manchester. Like his exec colleagues, he also worked at The Lowry Hotel under Eyck Zimmer.
Michael Purtill, General Manager at The Palace Hotel, added:
“These are exciting times for The Palace and exciting times for Manchester. There’s an incredible energy and creativity in the city right now, which is reflected in the world-class restaurant and bar scene that Manchester has to offer. We are thrilled and honoured in equal measure to be partnering with MFDF, and look forward to participating in the Festival, with events in The Refuge and as hosts of the Gala dinner.”