Tony Parkin discusses ‘new chapter’ with Open Restaurant Group
Tony Parkin is excited by the opportunity to “evolve the product” after taking a new role as head development chef at Open Restaurant Group.
Tony held a Michelin star for two years as chef patron at Cliff House Hotel in Waterford, Ireland, before leaving at the start of this year, to return to England.
A brief stint as head chef at two-Michelin-starred Opheem in Birmingham followed, before now joining Open Restaurant Group (ORG).
Discussing his new role, Tony told The Staff Canteen: “Sam Morgan, the CEO of Open Restaurants, used to be a regular customer of mine at the Tudor Room, when I was working there.
“When I got to Birmingham and realised that I wasn't really that happy, I reached out to him.
“We had a meeting and I'm taking a position at the moment where I'm working to help develop the restaurant group, helping open new sites and then we’re looking at some other bits and pieces that'll be released probably later on in the year.
“What that’s going to be right now we’re not quite sure, but there's a couple of bits and pieces coming up and basically I’m assisting Andy (Sheridan) and helping evolve the product.”
ORG is a rapidly expanding independent group which now includes eight sites, including 8 By Andrew Sheridan and Sow on the Netherwood Estate in Worcestershire.
A new all-day dining restaurant called Noted in Chester has also been added to the portfolio.
Chef Andrew Sheridan owns the group, along with business partners Sam and Emma Morgan.
“I know Andy, he’s eaten at a few of the restaurants I’ve worked at and stuff like that,” said Tony.
“It’s basically to just help assist him, go across the group, making sure that everyone's following suit, I suppose, and just assisting Andy, making sure he's all good for the time being.
“And then looking at a couple of bits and pieces, but obviously I can't say too much.
“It means I'm not stuck in one kitchen all the time, doing one thing. I kind of got to the point where I was a bit done with hotels and wanted to look at doing something else.
“Working with a company that are expanding quickly, but doing all different types of dining rather than focusing on one thing, is just a bit of a new chapter really."
Tony’s CV also includes working at the likes of Noma, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Northcote Manor, as well as competing on Great British Menu.
Andrew said: “Tony is a brilliant chef who brings with him loads of experience and we can’t wait to see what he’ll bring to ORG.”
Discussing his vision for his role with ORG, Tony said: “I think it was more helping develop, push it forward.
“It's not all about guides. At the moment I think a big part of it is about survival and it's just using utilising the knowledge that I've got from those places and implementing it elsewhere.”
ORG’s portfolio includes OXA in The Wirral, Dishes in Prestatyn, The Bracebridge in Sutton Coldfield, and Black & Green, and Cofton on the Green in Barnt Green, Worcestershire.
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Tony Parkin discusses ‘new chapter’ with Open Restaurant Group
