Oakman Inns & Restaurants, the Hertfordshire-based operator headed by former Whitbread executive Peter Borg-Neal, has appointed Peter Wright, formerly of Geronimo Inns, as its new group executive chef in line with the eight-strong company’s “rapid but controlled expansion”.
The company also reported said that its latest outlet, The Beech House in Beaconsfield, was trading well averaging over £36K net per week in its first four weeks.
From 1998 until recently Wright served as group executive chef at Geronimo Inns. During his tenure, Geronimo grew from three sites to 34 and was part of the successful team that won several high profile awards and recommendations.
He forged his career in a number of high profile roles at Payne & Gunter Ltd, London; OXO Tower, Harvey Nichols, London; Champneys Health Resort, Tring and The Royal Thames Yacht Club, London.
Borg-Neal said: “We are delighted that Peter has joined us, after the fantastic job he did at Geronimo, alongside the rest of their excellent team. At Oakman we have an even stronger focus on food in our bars and market-town hotels, and the appointment of an executive chef has become increasingly necessary. Peter has long been my first choice for the post and I had to wait until he became available. The wide menu choice, high volumes of food sales and our all day trading concept, mean that our chefs need and deserve the highest levels of training, leadership and support in order to operate effectively.
“Furthermore, we are making excellent progress with our planning application in Abingdon-upon-Thames. Peter joins us at an exciting point in our development and I am looking forward to working alongside him."
Wright said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to become part of a fast-growing operation and to work with someone as respected and passionate about their food and customer service as Peter Borg-Neal.”
