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Theo Randall
at the InterContinental has been crowned 'Italian Restaurant of the
Year' at the London restaurant industry's most prestigious awards.
Against
extremely stiff competition and assessed by a panel of the most
respected and well-known restaurant critics, this award is testament
to head chef Theo Randall's honest approach to Italian cooking and
cements his industry reputation as a chef in his own right.
Speaking
after the awardsceremony, Theo said: "I am extremely proud to
have received this award, my first since launching Theo Randall at
The InterContinental in 2006. The award recognises the hard work of
my team at the restaurant, and also the support provided by
InterContinental. It is a great boost for us all and sets a firm
standard for all that is to come."
The judging
panel for the London Restaurant Awards 2008 comprised of Terry Durack
(The Independent on Sunday), Matthew Norman (The Guardian), Jay
Rayner (The Observer), Tracey Macleod (The Independent), Charles
Campion (Evening Standard), Giles Coren (The Times) and Fay Maschler
(Evening Standard).
Other
restaurants nominated in the Italian Restaurant of the Year category
included Locanda Locatelli, Zafferano, Number 12 Restaurant,
Ristorante Semplice and Vasco & Piero's Pavilion.
Theo Randall,
previously partner and head chef at London's award-winning The River
Café, opened his own restaurant on 6th November 2006 at the
newly refurbished £76 million InterContinental London Park Lane.
A relaxed and softly spoken character, Theo worked at the River
Café since the early nineties. His role in its success cannot
be underplayed. Indeed whilst Ruth and Rose were the enthusiastic
owners of The River Café, Theo, a 'quiet creative force',
oversaw the day to day running of the kitchen.
Theo was
instrumental in helping develop and cement the River Café's
status as one of the most influential restaurants in Britain. It was
under Theo's direction that the River Café won its first
Michelin Star and critical acclaim from all the major critics who
have described it as 'a place of pilgrimage' which has 'changed
Britain's restaurant culture for good.'
``I love
Theo Randall at the Intercontinental. I worked with Theo at the River
Cafe and he is a brilliant chef. I've had some fantastic meals there
over the last year or so and the food just gets better.'' Jamie
Oliver July 2008
Theo Randall
at The InterContinental is a typically welcoming affair - the
restaurant, which seats 124 diners, has been designed to promote
flexible dining and includes a bar for up to 20 people. According to
Theo the restaurant is "a place where people can drop in for
a drink with friends and end up staying to eat in the bar, or come
for a more formal business lunch or four course dinner. I love the
fact that I can serve exquisite food in a very relaxed, inviting
environment at The InterContinental".
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