London, 3rd October 2016: The Ritz Restaurant was today awarded a Michelin Star in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2017.
Commenting on the announcement, John Williams MBE, Executive Chef of The Ritz London, said; “It is the greatest honour to have been awarded a Michelin star today. This star is testament to the entire team’s dedication to delivering excellence to every guest dining in The Ritz Restaurant daily. I am extremely proud to receive this recognition for the first time as part of the culinary history of this great hotel”.
With his menus, Williams continues to build on the principles and beliefs of Auguste Escoffier, drawing inspiration from classic dishes and making them relevant to today’s diner using the very best quality British produce in season, always precisely executed and impeccably presented. The Ritz Restaurant, considered by many to be the most beautiful hotel dining room in the world, has become unique in maintaining the quality and style of the restaurant, while consistently showcasing the very highest level of technical expertise and personalised service demonstrated by the restaurant team.
Williams joined The Ritz as Executive Chef in 2004, bringing three decades of hospitality experience to the venerated kitchens of the legendary Piccadilly hotel. The son of a Tyneside fisherman, Williams developed his passion for food at an early age. Taught by his mother to cook, his culinary interests began with cookery classes at school and continued as he studied at South Shields College and later at Westminster College. John’s glittering career, began with his first position as a Commis Chef at the Percy Arms Hotel Otterburn in 1974 and includes an impressive 18-year tenure with the Savoy Group.
The Ritz Restaurant is open for lunch service daily, from 12.30pm to 2pm, and for dinner service daily, from 7pm to 10pm, with a ‘Live at The Ritz’ dinner dance each Friday and Saturday evening. A pre-theatre menu is available from 5.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday.