Jim Hall, one of just 140 chefs in the country to hold a Master Chef of Great Britain title, has been appointed head chef at Newcastle restaurant Leila Lily’s.
The 37-year-old from Washington will lead the kitchen at Malhotra Group plc’s flagship venue on Grey Street, which recently launched its Eva Rose private dining space.
Jim – who joins from the four AA star Lumley Castle Hotel – brings more than 20 years’ experience to his new position, including stints at hotels and restaurants across the UK, and at Ramside Hall and Mal Maison in the North East.
He will bring a creative, contemporary take on classic British cuisine to the venue, along with his signature dish – a showstopping apple cheesecake dessert – as part of a modern British and Asian-inspired menu.
Holders of the Master Chef of Great Britain title are viewed as ambassadors for the industry, and play a part in the training and development of future talent. Along with supporting the young chefs who will be Master Chefs of the future, they are expected to champion British food producers, growers, and manufacturers.
Jim says his new role at Leila Lily’s will give him scope to showcase the “cornucopia of ingredients grown and made here in the North East.”
He added: “Newcastle is a wonderfully diverse and multicultural city and our menus will reflect and celebrate that. So, while customers can enjoy quintessentially British flavours – including the steaks and grills we cook on our Mibrasa charcoal oven – they can also experience Asian tastes and textures along with a range of vegan dishes we believe to be among the best in the city.”
Vaz Malhotra, operations director at Malhotra Group plc, said: “We are delighted to have attracted a head chef of Jim’s calibre. His ethos of championing local food and cooking it with creativity and flair chimes perfectly with ours and his energy, enthusiasm – not to mention his expertise – will be a great asset to us.”
