News in brief


will undergo a major refurbishment ahead of the opening, including the addition of an accessible toilet. Townsend said: “I’ve been


chipping away at this for the last two years now, so it’s always been a life-long dream of mine since I started cooking.”


FAT PHILL’S EYES 100 UK RESTAURANTS


ST REGIS LONDON HOTEL SET TO FINALLY OPEN IN 2025


Marriott International has confirmed its long-awaited first UK St Regis hotel will open in the former Westbury hotel in London’s Mayfair in 2025. News of the management


agreement between Cola Holdings and the Westbury Hotel Limited was announced in February 2022, with an initial opening date slated for 2023. The St Regis brand was formerly


part of the Starwood portfolio until it was sold to Marriott in 2016 under an £8b deal. The St Regis London will be a


luxury property with butler service and retain heritage features such as the existing Polo Bar. The £90m redevelopment will see the addition of an eighth floor and the refurbishment of 196 rooms. Plans for a signature restaurant,


speakeasy jazz bar, fitness centre and spa are also under way.


GARY TOWNSEND TO OPEN FIRST RESTAURANT IN GLASGOW


APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR BBC’S MASTERCHEF: THE PROFESSIONALS


Applications are open to take part in the upcoming series of the BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals. The television cooking


competition, last year judged by Marcus Wareing, Monica Galetti and Greg Wallace, is set to return for its 17th series. Applications are open to


professional chefs who will be 20 years old or over as of 25 April 2024 with a legal right to live and work in the UK. They must have worked


for at least two years in a professional kitchen or have an NVQ Level 3 706/1 and 706/2 or equivalent.


Amsterdam-based smash burger brand Fat Phill’s has signed a franchise agreement to expand across the UK. The restaurant group, which also


offers American-style sandwiches and cheesesteak fries, is looking to open 100 sites across the country over the next 10 years. It has signed an agreement with


Freshly Baked Ltd, which is also master franchisee for US pretzel shop brand Auntie Anne’s. Fat Phill’s was founded by Armin


Vahabian in 2019 and has since expanded to 17 locations across the Netherlands, becoming the fastest- growing burger brand in the country. Max Burton, managing director


of Freshly Baked, said the initial plan was to open three restaurants between 1,000 sq ft and 1,800 sq ft in Greater London high streets.


REKOM UK CALLS IN ADMINISTRATORS


Gary Townsend


Chef Gary Townsend is set to launch his first restaurant, Elements, this spring in Glasgow. Townsend, who has 20 years’


experience in the industry, was previously head chef at the three-AA-rosette One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow for six years. Elements will be a 40-cover fine dining restaurant focused on showcasing ingredients from Scottish producers. A vegan tasting menu will also be available, alongside an extensive selection of wines and non-alcoholic drinks. Some £400,000 has been


invested in the project and the site 8 | The Caterer | 26 January 2024


difficult” for the late-night sector with rising costs impacting its younger customers and making it more challenging to trade. Peter Marks, chairman of Rekom UK, said: “[While] the government’s Autumn 2023 Statement saved us £120,000 on our £5m rates bill, it meant that we had to find an extra £2m in wages. Not only that, the cost of goods and energy have also seen inflation-busting rises. This has led to us having to accept that the group cannot continue in its current structure.”


The UK’s largest nightclub operator is planning to call in administrators after struggling with a rise in costs. Rekom UK, which runs 46 sites including the Pryzm and Atik brands, said the restructuring could see some of its venues close for good. The company said the last


12 months had been “extremely www.thecaterer.com


PERGOLA OPERATOR EYES NEW OPENINGS


Incipio Group, the operator behind London venues including Pergola Paddington, has said it remains committed to bigger sites and hinted at plans for a new Pergola “by the end of the year”. Anthony Knight, sales, and


marketing director at Incipio Group, told The Caterer the brand is still keen to secure big venues as they provide a “return investment” despite significant overheads. The 25,000 sq ft Pergola


Chefs must be available for


filming, primarily in London, for up to 25 days between April and July 2024. Tom Hamblet, the 24-year-


old sous chef at the Camellia restaurant at the South Lodge hotel in Sussex, was crowned winner of the 2023 series. Applications will close on


18 March 2024. For more information and to apply visit www.masterchef.tv/ professionals


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