Chef to the stars has ‘lofty’ plans for restaurant
A SOUS chef to the stars has come to Coventry with the aim of putting the city firmly on the food map.
The Loft at the Rialto Plaza opened last May and has recently secured the services of Sam Barnett as head chef.
Barnett who has previously worked with Giles Thompson, former executive chef at The Ritz London and current owner of The Earl of March, Chichester, wants to bring some renown and glitz to Coventry.
The move comes off the back of the recent AA Restaurant Guide 2022 which saw Coventry fail to register a single entrance to the coveted list.
This is something Barnett and management at The Loft is keen to remedy, with aims of transforming the restaurant into a modern and relaxed fine dining establishment in the process. Barnett, who joins The Loft from the luxurious The Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds, said, “I’m excited to bring my skill and knowledge of cuisine to The Loft, it has the potential to be the best restaurant in Coventry.
“I take inspiration from quality seasonal ingredients served at their very best. Our aim is to bring top quality food and service to Coventry and we are hoping that food lovers across the Midlands will give us a try.”
Barnett will work alongside operations director Stephen Nash. Stephen spent 24 years as a chef, working for leading names in the UK and Australia, including Le Caprice, Cafe du Jardin, and the Hyatt Regency.
Nash, who hails from Coventry, was Raymond Blanc’s executive Chef for four-and-a-half years, during which time he opened three Le Petit Blanc restaurants, and he also carries the distinction of being the official chef for the European Ryder Cup team.
Stephen Nash said: “As a former
Cov lad it is important to me that we revolutionise the city’s gastro-scene. As Coventry continues its City of Culture celebrations into 2022, the buzz everywhere is amazing. It seems insane that despite the fact that Coventry has been completely transformed over recent years, the city doesn’t have a single AA Rosette.
“We aim to change that this year. With Glynn Purnell and other big restaurant names coming to the city soon, Coventry is most certainly the palace to be.”
The Loft’s classic and contemporary menu uses fresh, carefully selected, quality ingredients. Stephen and Sam have been working together to create a la carte and tasting menus using the very best, fresh, local produce. The focus will be on flavour-led, produce-driven seasonal menus.
“The first six course taster menu launched on May 25. The new a la carte menu is available now and can be booked Wednesday - Saturday. June and July bookings are now open.