Michelin-starred The Tudor Room appoints new head chef

Michelin-starred restaurant, The Tudor Room, has appointed Tony Parkin, the former head chef of Graham Garrett’s The West House.

Parkin will be replacing Douglas Balish from 15 April and says he is “excited” to start his new role at the restaurant. The Tudor Room is located in the Great Fosters hotel, and offers an intimate dining experience for 24 diners at a time.

The chef joins The Tudor Room following three-and-a-half-years at The West House, where he helped to maintain the restaurant’s Michelin Star. Parkin has been in the industry for almost 20 years, working in a series of different kitchens from classical French to Nordic inspired cuisine. His portfolio includes cooking at the only two Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen at the time, Kommendaten.

Parkin said: “I am really looking forward to starting my new role at The Tudor Room. Douglas has done an absolutely amazing job and I’m hoping to continue the success of the restaurant, as well as putting my own stamp on the offering. The opportunity to work at this award winning restaurant is one I couldn’t pass up to really showcase what I can do and serve food that excites people.

“I have been very lucky in my career, working for some incredible people and cooking in some phenomenal places. This next step is one I am really excited by and I’ve already started to pull the menu together.”

Peter Hinchcliffe, co-owner of Great Fosters, added: “We are delighted to welcome Tony to the Alexander family. We have been a fan of his work for a while, so to have him cooking in The Tudor Room is fantastic.

“We’re really proud of the award-winning restaurant and we’re confident that Tony will continue this success, putting the restaurant on the map, as a dining destination, not only for hotel guests, but for people wanting to experience the exquisite menu in an intimate setting.”

Parkin’s new menu will be available from Friday 26 April.