“Time to say goodbye, it’s been a pleasure Pollen Street Social”

Alex South

Alex South

Editor

Head Chef Daniel Welna has announced he will be leaving Jason Atherton’s Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social in Mayfair to take on a new job abroad.

The chef revealed that he would be leaving the UK to take up a new position at Jason’s City Social in Dubai.

Commenting on the move, in a public post on Instagram, Daniel said: “Time to say goodbye, it’s been a pleasure Pollen Street Social… next stop Dubai!”

The move comes after Daniel originally started working with Jason more than 7 years ago, starting off as a senior CDP, before quickly being promoted to head chef under Paul Walsh.

In 2019, Daniel moved to New York to take up the position of head chef at the Clocktower restaurant before returning to the UK due to the Covid pandemic.

Daniel joined Pollen Street Social in September 2020, where he worked closely with Jason and Dale Bainbridge to reopen the restaurant post pandemic.

Speaking to The Staff Canteen, Daniel said: “After 6 months being in Harrods, where I worked with an amazing group of people, Jason has now offered me a new opening at City Social Dubai, a massive project!”

Looking back on his time at Pollen Street Social, Daniel said: “The best part being at Pollen Street was working with Jason on daily basis, he was there every day and I learnt so much from him. Together with Chef Dan Birk we are now focused on opening City Social Dubai in the Grosvenor House hotel in Dubai.”

Jason’s new restaurant City Social Dubai is expected to be a 140-cover restaurant, providing contemporary and innovative cuisine, with Daniel taking the role of head chef.

It follows news that The Social Company will end of its six-year partnership with Starr Restaurants in New York following a “difference in vision” for the Clocktower restaurant.

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Alex South

Alex South

Editor 18th October 2022

“Time to say goodbye, it’s been a pleasure Pollen Street Social”