Gary Rhodes protégé takes lead in restaurant relaunch

A protégé of Gary Rhodes is set to take on his first head chef role with the relaunch of a restaurant in one of London’s finest hotels. Marvin Jones, who has worked under Gary Rhodes for the past seven years, is taking the helm at Podium, London Hilton on Park Lane’s ground floor restaurant reopening in early September.

Formerly known as the Park Brasserie, the restaurant is being renamed Podium following a £500,000 refurbishment which aims to take a modern approach to food and restaurant design.

Michael Shepherd, general manager at the hotel, said: “Marvin was chosen for his experience, enthusiasm and creativity which will help deliver an unforgettable experience, time and again.

“The restaurant is intended to appeal to not only those staying with us in the hotel but also those attracted by our wonderful overall range of drinking and dining options.”

Becoming the head chef of such a prestigious restaurant was no easy task for Marvin who faced a tough test to win the job, having competed in a cook-off.

He won over executive chef Anthony Marshall and his team with an inspired menu of baby artichoke truffle with French beans and foie gras, followed by pan fried sea bream with cucumber and oyster salad, and finally chocolate fondant with poached cherries, home-made yoghurt and cherry ice cream.

Marvin grew up in the East End of London before studying at Westminster College. After that his career has seen him working with some of the best names in the business as he spent two years at Le Manoir with Raymond Blanc before his first job with Gary Rhodes at City Rhodes.

Since then he has worked in several of Rhodes’ restaurants including Rhodes24 and latterly Rhodes W1 at the Cumberland Hotel.

An a la carte menu is being introduced for lunch and dinner using fresh seasonal products sourced from specialist suppliers, while the design of the restaurant marks a step away from the existing format, in place for the past eleven years.

The overall colour scheme will be silver, brown and taupe with highlights of lime, yellow and aqua. Dark mahogany wall panels will be changed to silver leaf or ivory glass and the stained glass windows, reminders of the hotel’s former proximity to a pub, are being removed in favour of American style blinds.

Podium will be open every day from 7am to 1am, midnight on Sundays. Last summer, Hilton launched Galvin at Windows on the 28th floor of the hotel with Chris Galvin, now rated as one of the best in the capital.

In addition to its restaurants the London Hilton has recently launched private dining it its suites and its drinking venues include POP champagne bar and feng shui inspired Zeta Bar, voted on of London’s 20 coolest bars by the Evening Standard.

For further information on Hilton UK & Ireland properties, visit Hilton.co.uk.