Mini Patel has been appointed as Chef Patron at D&D London's Blueprint Cafe, the London restaurant that boasts elevated views of the London skyscape, which have been enjoyed by diners since 1992.
Contrasting old and new, the river-side vista encompasses the historic grandeur of Tower Bridge through to the modern skyscrapers of Canary Wharf. Along with welcoming Patel to its kitchens, the contemporary and tranquil setting shall also undergo a light refresh later in the year.
Patel brings to the restaurant over 22 years’ experience cooking in some of the UK’s most highly-acclaimed establishments, learning from a succession of legendary chefs that include Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Angela Hartnett who he worked with whilst at her Michelin starred restaurant in The Connaught.
Most recently, Patel held the position of head chef at The Pointer in Brill, overseeing both the restaurant and pub at the Buckinghamshire bolthole. It was under him that the restaurant won the prestigious Catey Award for Menu of the Year in 2016.
Indeed, Patel has already made his mark on Blueprint’s menu, with a focus on carefully sourced produce and British classics with a playful, contemporary twist. The seasonally changing menu is made up of a selection of small plates, allowing guests to enjoy the full range of Patel’s flavours and share with fellow diners as they wish.
April’s dishes include the likes of Carlingford rock oyster, Jalapeño, sour apple and cucumber; Baked hispi cabbage, mustard, cheddar and crispy Cumbrian ham; Cornish lamb pie with crispy lamb nuggets, wild garlic pesto and lamb roasting juices; Blueprint Café Burnt Cream with rhubarb ‘Jammie Dodger’ biscuit.
Mini Patel said, “This is a very exciting new role for me – British culture is the inspiration behind so much of my food and Blueprint Café, as an icon of the London dining scene, couldn’t be a more fitting location for me to explore this inspiration even further.”
Jean-Baptiste Requien, Operations Director of D&D, said, “This is a true milestone in Blueprint’s history – a favourite on the London landscape for nearly three decades, we believe Mini’s wealth of experience and playful, contemporary British menu can only drive Blueprint forward to new heights.”