for 14 years, speaking exclusively to The Staff Canteen about Michael's appointment, Simon said: "I can't express how happy I am really. When I met him I thought he had a really great energy and he really clicked with the team.
"He's already bringing things to my dishes, a new dimension, and that's what I wanted. He's got a real modern edge to his cooking which I absolutely love. It's all about doing great food and Michael is a brilliant cook."
Simon came back in to The Box Tree kitchen full time after losing the Michelin star last year, he explained that he won't give control of his kitchen away again and Michael is coming in as part of a 'chef tag team'.
"It's a joint head chef role with me," said Simon. "You wouldn't think it would work, it's like the saying a ship can't have two rudders, but, it is working because he is respectful.
"I'm always very giving in my management style, I always give chefs underneath me control over their own dishes and the ability to express their own cooking abilities and tastes. I've never had a closed mind on that and Michael is respectful of that, he doesn't go off on a tangent and think 'this is what I want I'm doing it', we do things together."
Getting The Box Tree back in the Michelin Guide is an ambition both chefs share.
He said: "He's already proved himself at Restaurant 92 with a star rising for two years running, so he's obviously on Michelin's radar and he's an absolute asset to The Box Tree team.”
