Sager + Wilde appoints new head chef

Wine-focused restaurant Sager + Wilde on Paradise Row, East London, has appointed Chris Leach as its new head chef as it looks to revitalise its food offering.

New Sager + Wilde Paradise Row head chef Chris Leach

Leach takes over in the kitchen of the wine-focused Bethnal Green restaurant of Michael Sager having worked with Tomos Parry at the acclaimed Kitty Fishers in Mayfair, under chef Tom Adams at Pitt Cue, and Tristan Welch at Launceston Place in Kensington.

db reported this week how the much-praised young chef Ben Murphy had taken on the head chef role at Launceston Place as it seeks to recover the Michelin star it lost last year.

Leach, who will be joining the Sager + Wilde team with a brand new menu from Wednesday 15th February, has developed a distinct style of cooking using simple ingredients grilled over wood to maximise flavour.

His pared-back style of cooking has earned him accolades such as ‘Next Top Chef of London’ by the Evening Standard’s London Restaurant Festival.

A sample menu from Leach includes starters of kohlrabi, apple and Berkswell salad and calçot onion, pork broth and egg; while mains could include glazed pork belly, hazelnut mash and cider or cauliflower, pappardelle and mustard.

An additional weekend brunch menu will launch on Saturday 25 February.

“I have admired Sager + Wilde for a long time, and love the idea of cooking my own food in a neighbourhood environment,” Leach commented.

“My grill-based approach to British food, with a European twist, will balance well with the brilliant selection of wines on offer, and I hope to bring a simple but fun approach to the food.”

Since launching Sager + Wilde Paradise Row, wine specialist Michael Sager, along with house mixologist Marcis Dzelzainis, has teamed up with some of London’s most talented and innovative individuals to establish a distinctive food and drinks offering.

“I have met some incredible people since opening Sager + Wilde,” Sager said, “and have come to love and appreciate their honest and respectful approach to food and wine.

“I love having them as guests at the restaurant, because I truly believe that they make it a better place. Our food should reflect our wine list and include something for everyone – I believe Chris will bring this quality to the table. I love his food and cannot wait to see where he will take us.”

To read about Sager + Wilde Paradise Row’s high-scoring wine offering on Wine List Confidential, click here.