Following eight years leading Alyn Williams at The Westbury, the Mayfair hotel have now dismissed the chef. Williams claims the dismissal took place in October after he hosted a private dinner when the restaurant was closed. It is thought that the hotel’s owners deemed this as gross misconduct.
Williams has helped the restaurant to retain a Michelin star every year since 2012, yet the chef is now threatening to take legal action against the hotel.
In a statement, Williams expressed his shock, stating that, “I am understandably very upset and disappointed with the dismissal, particularly since I have been employed by the hotel for the past eight years, have had an exemplary employment record and was responsible, through the restaurant, for bringing prestige to the hotel, achieving a Michelin star which we maintained for eight successive years.”
The hotel has similarly released a statement, without directly addressing the reasons for his dismissal. The statement read, “following a tenure of eight years, Alyn Williams has stepped down from the restaurant that took his name”, going on to say “his talent in the kitchen is evident and he’s been a real asset to the team. We wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
Charlie Taylor, who has worked alongside Williams for three years, will now assume responsibility of the kitchen. Williams is requesting that the hotel stop using his name in connection with the restaurant, in order to make it evident to the public and guests that he is no longer involved.
Williams says he will now look to open his own restaurant in London.
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