Galvin at Windows has announced its new general manager following the departure of First Dates star Fred Sirieix after 14 years.
Peter Avis will take over the role, having previously worked with Virgin Group and overseen the Babylon Restaurant and Bar at The Roof Gardens in Kensington. Avis, who hails from Liverpool, has worked in the industry for over 20 years.
He shouldn’t have any trouble dealing with demanding customers either, having previously overseen Richard Branson’s private islands Necker and Moskito in the British Virgin Islands. He also managed the launch of Mont Rochelle restaurant in Cape Town and Mahali Mzuri in Kenya.
Sirieix made the decision to leave Galvin at Windows last December, making an official announcement on his Instagram page. Sirieix did not give an official reason for his departure, but it is likely that the demands of his TV fame made it difficult for him to focus on his day job. In his post, he paid tribute to his colleagues, writing “I will always remember… your selfless hospitality, kindness, hard work, focus, professionalism and dedication.”
Speaking about the decision to appoint Avis, restaurateur Chris Galvin said: “Taking Galvin at Windows into a new decade is an exciting new project and to welcome Peter Avis as the new General Manager is perfect timing.
“Our plans for the future meant that we have worked hard to develop new dishes, service styles and our new bar 10°- while looking at making the restaurant more accessible. Peter comes from the perfect stable to suit Galvin at Windows. ?He possesses gold hallmarks, which we look for in service and is totally customer focused. Such is his ability to hit the ground running, it already feels like we have worked together for many years”.
In other restaurant news, a former Great British Menu star reportedly threatened to throw a pregnant woman out of his restaurant.