Chef Sally Abé has announced the appointment of Jennifer Collins as the newly appointed head chef at The Pem, her signature restaurant located at Conrad London St James in the heart of Westminster. Collins comes to this role from Kol restaurant in Marylebone, where she previously held the position of senior sous chef.
The fine dining venue offers menus that showcase the foundations of historic British cuisine but with a modern twist. Collins' experience working with wild food and seasonal produce should tie in well with The Pem's menus, with her ethos falling in line with Abé's commitment to making hospitality a more attractive career for women.
Jennifer Collins led a team of 21 chefs as the head chef during her time at Kol. Before joining Kol, she served as a senior chef de partie at Luca. Her previous experience includes roles at renowned establishments such as City Social and Hotel Café Royal in London, along with her contributions at Chez Vous Restaurant in Surrey.
'This opportunity is not just a career milestone for me, but a chance to craft culinary experiences that resonate with passion, creativity and a dedication to delighting our guests,' says Collins. 'I was drawn to The Pem because of its values and feminist ethos and look forward to leading an amazing team and bringing a new chapter of culinary excellence to The Pem.'
Following an extensive kitchen refurbishment, the restaurant has recently reopened. Nestled within the Westminster hotel, it boasts a capacious main dining room with seating for 70 guests. Additionally, there's The Harben, a private dining room designed to accommodate 22 guests.