Exclusive Collection has today announced that fine dining restaurant Latymer, at five-star Pennyhill Park in Surrey, has retained its 4 AA rosette status shortly after welcoming new Head Chef Steve Smith.
Smith has taken over the running of the kitchen from previous Head Chef, Matt Worswick. He joins the hotel from Michelin-starred Bohemia at The Club Hotel & Spa in Jersey, where he held the position of Executive Chef since January 2013.
Just seven months after Smith’s appointment, the restaurant retained its Michelin star in October 2013, and was later awarded 5 AA Rosettes in the AA Guide 2017 (which it still retains), the only restaurant in the Channel Islands with this achievement.
Smith’s passion for seasonal ingredients has led to a new menu format at Pennyhill Park’s fine dining restaurant. Both lunch and dinner service now showcase a ‘Discovery Tasting Menu’ - a six-course surprise tasting menu including snacks, tea or coffee and petit fours.
The surprise element of the tasting menu allows Smith and his team the scope to exercise creativity and passion, changing the menu in line with whichever seasonal produce they see fit best.
Lunch service also offers a ‘Flexi à la carte’ menu (two courses £40, three courses £55) for those who are looking for a shorter dining experience.
Smith said of his appointment, “I’m incredibly excited to have joined Latymer. Pennyhill Park already has such a fantastic reputation and I look forward to further developing my cuisine and therefore the restaurant.
'Guests can expect a dining experience that is flavour and texture driven, as we explore various techniques and flavour combinations in order to showcase the remarkable seasonal produce we have available to us.”
Graham Copeman, General Manager of Pennyhill Park, added, “We’re thrilled to have Steve join us at the hotel and support our ongoing sustainability mission through his Discovery Tasting Menu, offering guests the best ingredients available at any given moment.
'We are delighted that Steve’s outstanding commitment to showcasing seasonal produce in a gastronomic manner has already been recognised through his 4 AA rosette win, so soon after joining us here at Pennyhill Park.
'We feel that Steve’s philosophies align with those of the hotel and I look forward to a fruitful relationship working together.”
Latymer at Pennyhill Park is currently only open to hotel guests for lunch on Sunday and dinner Wednesday to Sunday.