Bates was hand-picked for his role at The Ellington by the legendary Albert Roux, who is the hotel�s consultant chef and is responsible for overseeing menu creation throughout the property.  In addition, all the hotel�s senior chefs will be trained at Roux�s Le Gavroche in London.

It is a return home to the north of England for Robert, who was born and trained in Hartlepool before starting work in 1998 at Hexham�s Slaley Hall, where the kitchens were also under the umbrella of Albert Roux.  Mr Roux has followed Robert�s career with keen interest ever since and it was he who recognised the fact that Robert was ready to take control of his own kitchen.

The 56-seater Restaurant at The Ellington is an integral part of the property and will offer guests an exclusive dining experience that is set to change Leeds� dining landscape, bringing a new level of cuisine to the city.  Robert is planning to use only the finest seasonal produce, sourced from local suppliers wherever possible, and cannot wait for the hotel to open, when � it being autumn � he will be serving up local game dishes, such as loin of venison with cracked black pepper, apple and pink grapefruit compote, with port jus.

As Robert says: �This is a fantastic opportunity for me to make a name for myself in a part of England that I consider home.  I am very grateful to Mr Roux, for whom I have the utmost respect, for offering me my first Executive Chef role and I am relishing the challenge of working closely with him at The Restaurant at The Ellington.�

David Pantin, chief executive of Pantin Hotels, adds: �We welcome Robert to our outstanding senior team and are delighted to have a chef of his calibre who will bring exceptional cuisine to The Ellington and to the city of Leeds.� 

The Ellington, situated in the heart of Leeds� financial district and opening in early September 2008, is a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World.  A new-build luxury boutique hotel, it will offer contemporary style and elegant design, combining a vibrant atmosphere with an intimate feel.  A key factor at The Ellington will be the pride with which the staff provide each guest with the highest levels of personal service.

Albert Roux, alongside his brother Michel, was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the hospitality industry at the annual Catey Awards earlier this month. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the hospitality industry Oscars, Caterer & Hotelkeeper decided to present a one-off award; the criteria for the award was an individual or partnership that has done the most to drive forward the UK hospitality industry in the past quarter century.  The short list included Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Sir Rocco Forte.

Pantin Hotels was founded in 2006 by David Pantin, former Managing Director of Rocco Forte Hotels and Chairman of Dawnay Shore Hotels Plc.  David has extensive hotel experience, both nationally and internationally.  He was responsible for Trusthouse Forte�s Caribbean hotel portfolio and for the development of one of the world�s largest hotels, the $500-million, 1270-bedroom Our Lucaya resort in the Bahamas.
 
David was also Managing Director of London�s famous Café Royal between 1991 and 1994, during which time the famous Grill Room was awarded a Michelin star and David was personally responsible for creating its renowned cabaret business �The Green Room�, as well as for doubling revenues of the overall operation of this landmark London venue.
 
Pantin Hotels, where David has been joined by a host of key hotel industry professionals, plans to open a number of luxury hotels in the coming years.  More information can be obtained from the website www.pantinhotels.com.

Sue Heady
Director of Communications
Pantin Hotels
Pearl Chambers
22 East Parade
Leeds LS1 5BY
T: 0845 241 5140
E: [email protected]
W: www.pantinhotels.com