New restaurant team at Grand Central
Jamie Watt, David Jamieson and Yasmine Gibb, have joined Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel’s Tempus Bar and Restaurant as Assistant Manager, Head Chef and Restaurant Manager, respectively.
The four-star hotel attached to Central Station is launching a new menu built around summer Scottish produce at internal venue Tempus, and the trio have arrived in time to play their part. Yasmine was previously Duty Manager at the Tron Theatre and has eight years’ total experience, while Jamie has worked with Sherbrooke Castle Hotel and Malmaison and amongst others. David has won two AA Rosettes in his 20-year career and is particularly looking forward to being reunited with Tempus Executive Chef James Murphy, whom he worked under at The Beardmore Hotel in the past.
Said David, “I am delighted to be back working with Chef Murphy, he is one of the main reasons I wanted to bring my knowledge and wealth of experience to this fantastic hotel. Our focus is on fresh good food using local produce with modern twists. Having worked in both Spain and South Africa, I want to bring some influences from my time in these countries to the menu at Tempus.”
Edinburgh graduate secures senior role at The Chester Residence
Megan Milliken has joined Edinburgh’s The Chester Residence team as new operations manager.
Napier University graduate Megan will ensure the day to day operations of the hotel are carried out effectively and efficiently and will implement new procedures. Using her 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry she is also looking forward to bringing some fresh ideas to the hotel’s front office operations.
Rated Edinburgh’s top hotel on TripAdvisor, The Chester Residence has won a total of 25 accolades since opening in 2006, including ‘Best Five Star Hotel in Scotland’ in the trivago.co.uk Awards 2017. The Chester Residence is an exclusive collection of 23 luxurious Georgian townhouse apartments in Edinburgh’s West End.
Megan says, “Moving from a 184 bedroom hotel to The Chester Residence, I am excited to gain a closer relationship with guests, as this is not often possible in a large hotel.
“My career has been centred on hospitality and I know that my experience at The Chester Residence will provide me with the opportunity to grow professionally and learn a lot more about the operations and daily running of luxury five star serviced apartments.”The Chester Residence currently employs a team of 21.
A Charity Day for Children at The Busby Hotel
Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Snow White and Darth Vader all checked into The Busby Hotel as part of a fun recent charity event.
The hotel, owned by Manorview Group, organised the event in conjunction with the charity When You Wish Upon a Star, which helps to bring smiles to children aged 2-16 living with life-threatening illnesses. 29 children – along with 36 of their siblings, parents and guardians – arrived in fancy dress at the Clarkston institution for afternoon tea and a day of music and games. The staff got in on the act by dressing up too, and a total of £875 was raised.
Commented Busby Hotel General Juliet Parry, “When You Wish Upon a Star do fantastic work in supporting children and their families, and this was such a lovely event for us to organise and host. All the team got into the spirit of the day, which we wanted to make as memorable as we could.”
Judith King, of When You Wish Upon a Star, added, “We would like to thank Juliet Parry and her wonderful team at The Busby Hotel, it was such a fantastic day for everyone. The aim of the day was to create and make precious magical memories, putting illnesses to one side and bringing smiles and laughter to our very brave and courageous children and their families.”
Chef Wilson expands to Dunblane
Chef Kenny Wilson has opened a new branch of his restaurant Juniper within the Old Churches House Hotel, Dunblane.
Kenny has teamed up with Denny-based Fusion Group, who own and manage Old Churches House, which was a multi-faith ecumenical centre before its 2013 transformation into a hotel, brasserie and events space.
Known for his appearances on STV cookery show Square Meals, Kenny and his wife Marie Claire have won praise for their work in the original Juniper, a bar and restaurant in Tillicoultry with extensive vegetarian and gluten-free offerings.
Said Kenny, “It’s great news for us, with this major opportunity to expand and grow our restaurant concept coming along at just the right time. We have introduced new menus for Juniper at Old Churches House and look forward to customer feedback.”
Added Alex McKie, Old Churches House MD, “It was very much a meeting of minds when, as two existing businesses operating a short distance away, we found one another and realised that it would be mutually beneficial to form a partnership. This not only breathes new life into our food offering as a busy hotel and events venue in one of the most vibrant ‘foodie’ parts of Scotland, but also enables Kenny and Marie Claire to open a second outlet of their successful Juniper concept.”