Levy Restaurants UK, the sports, leisure and hospitality business of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has created director of culinary roles within its core markets comprising: sporting venues, racecourses, leisure venues and arenas to support and develop the food experiences for its wide range of clients, partners and guests.
The new roles reflect the Levy Restaurants UK business model and have been created to reflect the very specific needs of individual sectors; from the demands of the operation in a fast-paced sporting venue to the more experiential, design-led approach required at a museum or gallery.
Allan Blackmore, director of culinary, sport
The new executive roles will see Allan Blackmore become director of culinary, sport. Allan will be responsible for championing innovation and guest experience for match and non-match day events at a unique collection of stadia including Twickenham, The KIA Oval, Chelsea FC and Edgbaston.
Frazer Wilson, director of culinary, Jockey Club Catering
Frazer Wilson will continue to drive food innovation as director of culinary for Jockey Club Catering and will direct the legendary food experiences of over 1.8million race-goers annually. Frazer will mentor chefs across the 15 Jockey Club Racecourses and will drive the food and beverage offering for the world’s most iconic racing festivals, from The Crabbie’s Grand National Festival at Aintree to The Cheltenham Festival, and The Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs.
Paul Jennings, director of culinary, leisure
Paul Jennings has become director of culinary for the leisure sector, made up of some of the UK’s finest museums and landmark destinations including Somerset House, Salisbury Cathedral and Levy Restaurants UK’s most recent client win, KidZania. He will use his expertise to address the nuanced requirements within these unique venues to ensure catering enhances the guest experience.
Andy Wardle, director of culinary, arena
Andy Wardle joined Levy Restaurants UK on 10 March as director of culinary, arena. The sector is made up of some of the UK’s most famous performing and conference venues including The O2, ExCeL London and Scotland’s iconic The SSE Hydro. Overseeing new food and beverage offers and working very closely with the other three directors of culinary, Andy and his colleagues will also drive the mentoring and development programmes for Levy Restaurants UK’s chefs at all levels.
In addition to working with arena clients, Andy will also be assisting Jonathan Davies, Levy Restaurants UK, sales director with future opportunities and business development. Andy will ensure that the wider Levy business maintains and builds on the company’s focus on legendary experiences. With more than 15 years of working in venues within leisure, sport and arena, his wealth of experience will strengthen the business further.
Colin Bailey, managing director, Levy Restaurants UK, comments: “We are incredibly proud of our culinary talent and are delighted to expand our leadership teams in the UK with four exceptional directors of culinary. These individuals bring a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise to Levy Restaurants UK at a very exciting time in our business. We work across a broad range of venues and it is key that we focus on the changing needs and requirements of our partners and the customers we serve each and every day.”
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