Top chef leaves Resorts World after ‘differences’
AMICHELIN-starred chef is to leave Birmingham’s Resorts World after ‘creative differenc- es’.
Renowned Midland chef Andy Waters has run his eponymous restaurant at the entertainment venue near the NEC since it opened in 2015.
Mr Waters had most recently been working with Resorts World to prepare for the opening of a new rooftop bar and restaurant to replace the former Sky Bar. ‘Sky By Waters’ is due to open on January 10.
Aaron Darnley, 29, who currently leads the kitchen team at Waters Restaurants, will become head chef at the new venue.
A Resorts World spokeswoman said: “In recent weeks, creative differences have emerged between Andy and the Resorts World management which has resulted in chef Waters leaving the business.
“The name of the new venue is under review at the moment. No decision has been made yet.”
Mr Waters left his successful restaurant Waters on the Square, in Chad Square, Edgbaston, after being invited to open a venue at Resorts World by owners the Genting Group.
The chef who trained at Halesowen Food College, has worked with French food icon Paul Bocuse, Jean Christophe Novelli and Andreas Antona from Simpsons restaurant.
In 2002 he won a Michelin star at Edmunds in Henley in Arden.
The restaurant moved to Brindleyplace in Birmingham in 2008.
Ian Bennett, operations director of Resorts World, said: “I want to pay tribute to Andy and his wife Beverley. For several decades Andy has been a pivotal component of the region’s restaurant scene.
“He has built up a reputation for creating food that is memorable and innovative. For the past three years Andy has created a restaurant here at Resorts World that has played a major part in putting Resorts World on the culinary map.
“We are very grateful to Andy and Beverley for what they have achieved here and their contribution to our success. We wish Andy and Beverley every good wish for their future.”
The new restaurant will cater for double the number of covers compared with the existing Waters restaurant and will have a private dining area, cocktail bar and ‘secret garden’.
Genting Hotel guests will also be served breakfast from the new venue.
When the revamp was first announced, Mr Waters said: “I am looking forward, along with all of my Waters team, to be moving to this stunning new location within Resorts World.”
Darryl Collins, who this summer was a finalist in Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals, will continue to oversee and direct the pastry team at Resorts World, who will also feature as part of the new rooftop venue.