Good morning folks! Apologies for going MIA for the past few weeks I have been opening a new hotel in Mayfair! 

In this episode, I visited another hotel to chat with Patrick Powell, the executive head chef at Midland Grand Dining Room. This restaurant resides inside the iconic and beautiful Renaissance St Pancras Hotel. 

Patrick mans the kitchen and the pass at Midland Grand. In 2019, he also opened Allegra in Stratford. Both of his restaurants offer different gastronomic experiences. Allegra is his more innovative and modern exhibition whereas Midland Grand still maintains its history through the menu - a glimpse of French cuisine at our Eurostar gateway. Previously Patrick has worked at Cutler and Co in Australia, L'Ecrivain in Ireland and Chiltern Firehouse in London. 

Patrick and I discussed how much he valued travelling around the world for work, especially to Australia, the challenging environments of tough kitchens, and the rite of passage of realising that you may be acting too big for your boots. Patrick emphasises the need to take your time to learn.

I loved listening to Patrick’s many stories and his incredible career history, I hope you do too.

I’m Stella and I’m gonna take you out for dinner. 

For regular updates on new podcasts please follow me on Instagram @stellagent and @stellas_scoop. This podcast is available on Spotify and Apple Music. 

Mentions:

Patrick Powell, Executive head chef at Allegra, Stratford and Midland Grand Dining Room, King’s Cross

https://www.instagram.com/ppowellchef/?hl=en 

Midland Grand Dining Room, King’s Cross

https://www.midlandgranddiningroom.com/ 

Allegra, Stratford

https://www.allegra-restaurant.com/ 

Seb Meyers, head chef of Planque, Dalston

https://www.instagram.com/sebastianfmyers/

Planque, Dalston

https://planque.co.uk 

L'Ecrivain, Dublin, Ireland (permanently closed)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Ecrivain 

Cutler and Co, Fitzroy, Australia

https://www.cutlerandco.com.au

The Square, Mayfair (permanently closed)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Square_(restaurant)

Pollen Street Social, Mayfair

https://www.pollenstreetsocial.com 

Wild Honey, St James’

https://www.instagram.com/wildhoneystjames/?hl=en 

Anthony Demetre, Chef/Proprietor of Wild Honey

https://www.instagram.com/anthony_demetre/?hl=en

Nuno Mendes, executive head chef of Chiltern Firehouse

https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/chefs/nuno-mendes

Chiltern Firehouse, Mayfair

https://www.chilternfirehouse.com 

The Ritz, Mayfair

https://www.theritzlondon.com 

Perilla, Stoke Newington

https://www.perilladining.co.uk 

John Chantarasak, head chef of Anglothai

https://www.greatbritishchefs.com/contributors/john-chantarasak 

Sertac Dirik, ex-head chef of Mangal II

https://www.instagram.com/sertacdirik/ 

Mangal II, Dalston

https://www.mangal2.com

Harry Handelsman, owner of Allegra and Midland Grand

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Handelsman 

https://www.manhattanloft.co.uk/about-us/ 

Darren McHugh, Head of Operations at Restaurant Story and Story Cellar

https://www.instagram.com/darrenlmchugh/?hl=en 

The Ledbury, Notting Hill

https://www.theledbury.com 

Morchella, Farringdon

https://www.morchelladining.co.uk 

Oma, Borough Market

https://www.oma.london