Manchester’s iconic Palace Hotel has announced the appointment of a new kitchen cast who have trained under world leading chefs. The news comes as the hotel enters the final stages of a multi-million-pound investment to all 271 bedrooms and suites; the Ballroom and 16 other private dining and event spaces; as well as creating The Refuge Public Bar & Dining Room, run by the owners of Manchester restaurant Volta, one of the most popular eateries in Manchester. The restaurant is due to open in September.
This is an extraordinary development of an iconic building, and food and drink plays a starring role in the hotel’s transformation. The new executive chef, Steven Wilson, has worked with Ferran Adria and Raymond Blanc; the new banqueting head chef, Paul Speakman, has learned from the likes of Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer and the Refuge head chef Alex Worrall brings experience from Tetsuya Wakuda in Sydney and Marco Pierre White.
Local heroes, Volta’s DJs turned restaurateurs, Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (of “Unabombers” fame) are leading the operation of The Refuge, making the restaurant one of the most talked-about new additions to the city’s food and drink scene. The new chefs will work in partnership with the Volta team to create an exceptional dining experience for guests and visitors.
The new chef team
Steven Wilson: Executive Chef
Steve’s illustrious kitchen career has taken him right around the world and back again. Originally from Edinburgh, Steve came to Manchester back in 1998 working with some of the city’s most exciting chefs and venues at the time, including the opening of Reform with Robert Owen Brown. He also opened The Lowry Hotel’s River Restaurant under Eyke Zimmer. His career then literally took him around the globe working with some of the world’s top chefs including René Redzepi, Massimo Bottura, Pierre Gangaire, Paco Torreblanca, Ferran Adria and Raymond Blanc. His globe-trotting journey finally brought him back to Manchester at the beginning of this year, and Steve is now heading up the entire food and drink offering at The Palace Hotel. He is working with the Volta team and the banqueting brigade to ensure an exceptional culinary experience whether it’s dinner and drinks at The Refuge or a banquet for 300 in the Ballroom.
Paul Speakman: Banqueting Head Chef
Originally from Bolton, Paul’s 23 year long career has seen him work under the likes of Marco Pierre White and Sunday Brunch’s Simon Rimmer. After honing his craft in London, he returned to Manchester to work at The Lowry Hotel, where he cooked alongside both Steven Wilson and Alex Worrall. After stints perfecting large-scale dining at Manchester Central and Manchester Town Hall’s banqueting, Paul is now reunited with Steve and Alex, as he heads up The Palace’s private dining and events spaces. Paul will be bringing the venue’s overarching new food philosophy to the banqueting side of the business. This will include all 17 of the hotel’s private dining and events spaces – from the Ballroom to the smallest of the Clock Tower meeting rooms.
Alex Worrall: Refuge Head Chef
Alex is a chef with an impeccable background in some of the globe’s most exciting restaurants. He has cooked under the likes of Tetsuya Wakuda in Sydney and Marco Pierre White at The Oak Room. His breadth of experience takes in as many small independents as it does global superstars with stints at Red in Westhoughton, Victor’s in Hale, and Reform in Manchester. Like Steven and Paul, Alex also worked at The Lowry Hotel under Eyke Zimmer.