Barry Soars has been appointed as restaurant general manager at the Athenaeum Hotel and Residences in Mayfair.
According to the hotel, Soars brings “huge” up-market dining experience to his new role. His last two roles were at Soho Farmhouse and before that he was general manager at the Fire Station Restaurant in Cheltenham.
Soar said: “I’ve loved working at Pen Yen which is the fine dining Japanese Restaurant as well as the Main Barn both at Soho Farmhouse but I really wanted to work in London.
“And the opportunity to work with not one but two Galvin Brothers was just too much to resist. Like most contemporary hotel restaurants, the challenge is to produce excellence in service and food offering from those first early morning guests through lunch and afternoon tea right up to the last couple lingering over a nightcap. It’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”
He added: “Well, hospitality has to be a passion doesn’t it? It’s long hours and high pressure so if you are not in love with food and wine it’s probably not a career for you.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the high numbers of regulars who come back to the Athenaeum time and time again as well as meeting new faces. The hotel has a reputation as one of the friendliest places in London and I will be building on that, I’m sure.”
