Hyde & Seek, London Hyde Park, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel has appointed Ranjitkumar Sukumaran as Executive Head Chef ahead of the property’s opening in September.
Sukumaran will lead the culinary direction across the 309-room hotel’s food and beverage operation, including two new concepts, Seekers Restaurant & Bar and HydeOut.
He brings more than 23 years of experience across luxury hotels in London and joins Hyde & Seek following four years at The Londoner, where he progressed to Executive Head Chef.
His previous career includes senior culinary roles at Corinthia London, Royal Garden Hotel, Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Wentbridge House Hotel.
At Hyde & Seek, Sukumaran will develop menus centred on seasonal British produce, combining contemporary cooking techniques with influences reflecting the cultural diversity of Bayswater and Lancaster Gate.
Seekers Restaurant & Bar will be a 138-seat contemporary British restaurant overlooking Hyde Park, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.
The restaurant will be accompanied by Seekers Bar, a more intimate cocktail-led space within the hotel.
Menu development will include interpretations of British ingredients such as Cornish crab, Orkney scallops and Aberdeen Angus beef alongside Middle Eastern and Pan-Asian influenced sharing plates.
Sukumaran will also oversee HydeOut, an 88-seat all-day café, lounge and co-working space located beneath the hotel’s glass-roofed courtyard.
The venue will operate throughout the day, covering coffee, casual dining, meetings and evening drinks.
Sukumaran said: “Hyde & Seek captured my imagination from the very beginning, not only because of its remarkable location overlooking Hyde Park, but because of the rare opportunity to help shape a completely new dining destination from day one.
“My vision is to create food that reflects both the heritage of British cuisine and the vibrant multicultural influences that define Bayswater today, using the best seasonal ingredients to deliver dishes that feel familiar, but with a contemporary Hyde & Seek twist.
“Whether guests join us for breakfast, a working lunch, afternoon tea, an evening meal or simply a drink with friends, I want every visit to be defined by refined hospitality and a genuine sense of connection.”
He added: “For me, opening a brand-new kitchen is the beginning of a journey, and I’m incredibly excited to work alongside such a talented team to create a restaurant and café that become part of the fabric of the local community as well as a destination for visitors to London.”
Hyde & Seek is being created through a £42 million redevelopment and rebranding of the former Corus Hotel Hyde Park at 1 Lancaster Gate.
The property is owned by Immersive Hospitality Management and will be managed by Vertiq Hospitality Partners when it opens as part of Marriott Bonvoy’s Tribute Portfolio.
Alongside its 309 guestrooms and food and beverage venues, the hotel will include flexible meetings and events facilities and a gym and studio.
The property sits opposite Hyde Park, close to Lancaster Gate Underground station and Paddington.
Sukumaran’s appointment comes as the hotel completes preparations for its September launch and develops the culinary identity of its two principal dining concepts.
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