Northern Ireland’s Michelin-starred Clare Smyth has been appointed as one of two chef partners at one of London’s most exclusive luxury spots.
Previously crowned Chef of the Year Smyth will join French chef Daniel Boulud in overseeing the restaurant at the Waldorf Astoria, due to open next year at the recently restored Admiralty Arch – a Grade I-listed building in the heart of the city.
Admiralty Arch was commissioned by King Edward VII in memory of Queen Victoria and completed in 1912.
The chefs – who boast seven Michelin stars between them – will run the restaurant based at the Waldorf Astoria London hotel which will open its doors at the historic landmark.
Co Antrim born Smyth is the current Chef Patron at the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Core by Clare Smyth in London’s Notting Hill, which opened in 2017.
It was awarded the accolade after a review in 2021, making her the first Northern Irish woman to run a three-Michelin-starred restaurant.
Smyth – who grew up on a Bushmills farm – was previously Chef Patron at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and has made several TV appearances, including MasterChef and Saturday Kitchen.
She will now partner with New York-based Daniel Boulud at the new Hilton hotel, with the chain operating 18 restaurants worldwide.
It will be the first Waldorf Astoria hotel based in London.
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Guillame Marly, general manager at Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, said: “With Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud both confirmed to bring new culinary concepts to the property, Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch is set to be a truly exceptional dining destination in the heart of the British capital.
“We look forward to unveiling more details about these exciting chef partnerships in the coming months.”
Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive at Hilton added: “Admiralty Arch is undoubtedly one of the most iconic landmarks in London and we are delighted to be working with Reuben Brothers on this magnificent hotel.
“With a legacy of preserving and enhancing incredible historical buildings, Waldorf Astoria is a natural fit for this development, and Reuben Brothers’ proven track record in delivering projects of this magnitude makes them a wonderful partner.”
It marks another exciting moment for Smyth, who shot to stardom in 2018 after being selected as the caterer for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Former Manchester United icon David Beckham is also among some of the stars who have dined at Core over the years.
Last year the former Real Madrid star shared an Instagram story with pictures of Smyth and the culinary staff at her Notting Hill restaurant, followed by photographs of his meal.
The ex-England captain wrote that they were an “amazing team”.
Speaking to this newspaper last year about growing up on her family farm, Smyth said: “Many people in Northern Ireland live in rural communities, so it was the norm for us, and I probably didn’t appreciate those experiences growing up.
“On my father’s farm, we’d have every single cut of meat, which my mum would cook. She would bake bread. I grew up in a house where the stews were cooked overnight. We also drank unpasteurised milk from a tank.
“I didn’t realise how much those early years influenced me and my work until I was a little older.
“Those were my foundations in life: being farmers, we respected the work, and we respected the land.”
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