Sally Abé appoints new head chef at The Pem

Chef Sally Abé has announced the appointment of Jennifer Collins as head chef at The Pem – her signature restaurant at Conrad London St James in the heart of Westminster. Collins joins from Kol restaurant in Marylebone, where she served as senior sous chef.

The fine dining venue offers menus that showcase the foundations of historic British cuisine but with a modern twist. Collins' experience working with wild food and seasonal produce should tie in well with The Pem's menus, with her ethos falling in line with Abé's commitment to making hospitality a more attractive career for women. 

Collins headed up a team of 21 chefs during her tenure at Kol. Prior to this, she worked as senior chef de parties at Luca, and previously worked at restaurants including City Social and Hotel Café Royal in London, as well as Chez Vous Restaurant in Surrey. 

"This opportunity is not just a career milestone for me, but a chance to craft culinary experiences that resonate with passion, creativity and a dedication to delighting our guests," says Collins. "I was drawn to The Pem because of its values and feminist ethos and look forward to leading an amazing team and bringing a new chapter of culinary excellence to The Pem."

The restaurant recently reopened following an extensive kitchen refurbishment. The restaurant, set within the Westminster hotel, has a spacious main dining room seating 70 guests, as well as The Harben – a private dining room seating 22 guests.

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