Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars has announced the senior appointment of Nicholas Durham as the new Director of Food & Beverage. Bringing a wealth of industry experience and a dynamic vision for growth, Durham will lead the hotel’s renowned dining outlets, including the celebrated Chinese Cricket Club, NYnLON, Leaf & Cane bar and City Lounge, into an exciting new chapter.
In his new role, Durham will oversee three kitchen teams and the overall service experience, focusing on pushing the hotel’s F&B offering to the next level following its formative years since opening. He aims to bring the character of each of the hotel’s individual dining outlets to life while also developing the exceptional private dining opportunities available across the hotel. With extensive experience in events and large banqueting operations, Durham will further enhance the hotel’s luxury F&B experiences in the heart of the City of London.
Durham joins Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars following an impressive tenure of strategic innovations at the five-star Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh, where he served as Director of Food & Beverage. Durham’s new role sees him return to London, where he held prior F&B leadership roles at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel. Recognised for his creative vision, revenue growth achievements and operational expertise, Durham is well-equipped to elevate Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars’ culinary offerings.
“I am thrilled to have joined the team at Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars and lead the incredible food & beverage outlets to new heights. The brands within this hotel have unique stories to tell, and with such a diverse range of offerings, the sky truly is the limit. My goal is to establish these outlets as some of the City of London’s favourites by creating unforgettable dining experiences and continuing to push the boundaries of culinary excellence. I look forward to working with all members of the Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars team to achieve this vision in 2025 and beyond,” said Durham.
Since joining the team in late 2024, Durham has already made significant impact. Chinese Cricket Club recently celebrated the prestigious achievement of being awarded two AA Rosettes, marking a new standard of culinary excellence. To honour this accolade, the restaurant launched the elegant Rose Set Menu, showcasing Head Chef Tony Truong’s innovative take on classic Chinese cuisine, including the show-stopping Smoked Peking Duck.
Looking ahead, Durham is set to implement an exciting series of enhancements across the hotel’s F&B offering. NYnLON will introduce a refreshed seasonal menu featuring premium takes on transatlantic favourites, including the Lobster & Crayfish Roll and Devon Crab Linguine. The restaurant’s wine list will also be reimagined, with a strong emphasis on American and British wines, including an extensive selection of English sparkling varieties. Leaf & Cane will see the launch of Tommy Tuesdays, where guests can enjoy a lively pairing of tacos and Tommy’s margaritas – featuring signature flavours such as peach salsa and smoked halloumi.
In line with the ongoing development of Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars’ F&B landscape, Aiden Page has been appointed as the new Food & Beverage Operations Manager, bringing valuable experience from his recent role as Bar Manager at Shangri-La The Shard. His appointment signals the hotel’s commitment to nurturing talent and driving continued growth within its F&B division, with Durham at the helm.
Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars is poised for an exciting year ahead under Nicholas Durham’s leadership. With his innovative vision and dedication to excellence, the hotel’s dining destinations are set to become some of the most sought-after culinary experiences in the City of London.
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