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New Executive Chef, Neil Thrift, is going green and feeling fresh in London’s edible garden

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Category: Appointments

Created on Thursday, 10 May 2012 16:05

New Executive Chef, Neil Thrift, is going green and feeling fresh in London’s edible garden

London Syon Park, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel have announced the appointment of Neil Thrift as Executive Chef at the highly praised The Capability Restaurant.
Understanding that the 2012 food-lover is passionate about provenance, Neil is digging out the best in homegrown, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, and bringing them to the tables of West-London’s finest restaurant. 

Lured to London Syon Park by the bounty of its vast edible garden,  Neil plans to supersize the selection of produce from this plentiful source.   He will harvest fresh fruits, including apples and oranges, from a newly planted orchard, creating compotes, jams and marmalades.

A champion of the organic movement and sustainable sourcing, Neil will make the most of London Syon Park’s trout lake, five beehives and spectacular glasshouse to creating ever-changing seasonal menus. 

The spring harvest will bring new produce to the table including pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow and green courgettes, tomatoes, cucumber and French runner beans.  With fresh ingredients so readily available, Neil is able to action his philosophy of preparing food as simply as possible to allow flavours to shine.

Elevating the garden’s earthy offerings to the crisp white tablecloths of The Capability,  Neil will also use meat such as rabbit grouse and lamb reared on The Duke of Northumberland’s Alnwick estate.

Influenced largely by French and European cuisine, Neil will be using the restaurant’s homegrown produce to create his own exciting take on continental cuisines, with English Snails from Dorset tipped as a firm favourite this season.

‘I love the diversity of working in a hotel – the way each day is different and brings on new challenges.  I am looking forward to the day that we are totally sustainable’ - Neil Thrift, Executive Chef, The Capability Restaurant.