New Culinary Director on the menu for Restaurant Associates and Levy Leisure
Restaurant Associates and Levy Leisure have appointed esteemed chef, David Simms, as Culinary Director, effective from the start of June 2018.
Simms has more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry and joins from the Corrigan Collection, where he held the position of Managing Director overseeing an impressive portfolio including Bentleys Oyster Bar and Corrigan’s Mayfair.
Prior to this, he was Managing Director of Simon Rogan’s UMBEL Restaurant Group, where he was responsible for the restaurant estate, including Fera at Claridge’s, Rogan & Co and the iconic, two Michelin star, L’Enclume.
This appointment is a return to the business for Simms, as he previously held the position of Group Hospitality Executive Chef at Restaurant Associates between 2005 and 2012. He said, “Restaurant Associates has a rich culinary heritage, serving many of Britain’s most prestigious organisations. I’m looking forward to working side by side with our clients and our talented chefs to continue delivering top quality dining offers.”
Simms will join the executive team, taking responsibility for culinary development, supply chain and culinary training for both Restaurant Associates and Levy Leisure. He will report to Alice Woodwark, MD of Restaurant Associates and Levy Leisure.
Woodwark commented, “David brings significant culinary kudos to our team and truly reinforces our positon as the leaders in food service and innovation. He has a wealth of Michelin Star restaurant experience, a passion for training and talent development and a genuinely innovative approach to food service. We’re thrilled to welcome him back to our team.”
Restaurant Associates prides itself on creating food that is of Michelin Star quality and serving it to clients that range from banking organisations to boutique law firms and independent media agencies.
Levy Leisure is the official catering partner at renowned cultural, historical and visitor attractions in the UK from Somerset House, IWM Duxford, to Salisbury Cathedral, world-famous Glyndebourne Festival and Edinburgh Zoo. Both are part of Compass Group UK & Ireland.