Principal Hayley appoints new Group Development Chef

Hotel and conference group Principal Hayley has announced the appointment of a new Group Development Chef, Bruce McDowell, who has been tasked with driving the Group’s chef development programmes forward and further enhancing the Tempus restaurant concept.

With over 21 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Bruce has worked in a range of high profile establishments including the Balmoral Hotel, Loch Fyne Restaurants, The Living Room and Claridge’s Hotel. Most recently Bruce was executive head chef at Q-hotels’ Aldwark Manor Golf & Spa Hotel.

In his new role Bruce will be responsible for driving Principal Hayley’s restaurant brand Tempus forward through excellence in training, developing future stars in Principal Hayley’s purpose built development kitchen at Horwood House in Milton Keynes and building upon the Group’s event offerings, including conference and banqueting, weddings and private dining.

Tony Troy, CEO of Principal Hayley said: “We are delighted to announce that Bruce has joined Principal Hayley as Group Development Chef. It is clear from Bruce’s background that he has a real passion for what he does and we are confident that he will be able to take our already successful Tempus brand to the next level by challenging our chefs to be the very best they can be.”

Speaking on his appointment Bruce said: “It is very exciting to be joining Principal Hayley at this time. The group has a wealth of extremely talented chefs across its properties and is fully committed to nurturing and developing from within.”

Commenting on Zoltan Zsabo, the Grand Central Hotel’s 28 year old Senior Sous Chef who recently made the semi-finals of the Craft Guild of Chef’s National Chef of the Year competition and won the Scottish Heat of the Association Culinaire Francoise, Escoffier Challenge, Bruce added: “Zoltan is a great example of a young chef who is completely devoted to his craft and to the level of support and training that Principal Hayley chefs are given. I’m excited to be a part of that and I’m looking forward to working with the team.”

Principal Hayley, which has 22 hotels and venues across the UK, with an additional property near Paris, places a strong emphasis on catering across its portfolio offering staff the opportunity to train in the Principal Hayley Chef Academy and the Chef’s School of Excellence, allowing them to continuously build on their skills and experience.

Prinicipal Hayley’s Chef Academy at foundation level offers Commis Chefs a structured career path allowing them to develop to the level of Chef de Partie in just 12 months. The intermediate level complements this with a further 18 month intensive programme to attain the level of Junior Sous, a great opportunity for young chefs to quickly progress with an award winning conference and hotel operator. Meanwhile the Group’s Chef’s School of Excellence allows Chef de Parties and Commis Chefs to train with colleagues from other Principal Hayley properties encouraging sharing of skills and ideas.