Ben Murphy, a former Young National Chef of the Year winner, has been appointed head chef of Launceston Place in Kensington which was awarded two Rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide 2017.

Ben, who was named Chef to Watch by the Good Food Guide 2016, was head hunted for the role by D&D London following his deaprture from the Woodford back in October.

Speaking to The Staff Canteen, Ben said: "I had the opportunity to work for Launceston Place, Simon Rogan or even at The Ledbury so it was kind of a choice of which one I preferred."

Ben, a former protege of Pierre Koffmann, has worked for a number of top restaurants throughout his career including the three-Michelin-starred Les Prés d’Eugénie in France and Épicure Restaurant at Le Bristol and the two-Michelin-starred Greenhouse Restaurant in Mayfair, London.

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With full control over the menu Ben says people can expect the dishes to be attractive yet tasteful with no hidden surprises.

He told The Staff Canteen: "I think it’s going to be quite trendy, it’s going to be modern and it’s going to be quite obvious. What you see on the menu is what you can expect."

Having been in the role for little over a week, Ben is still finding his feet taking more time to focus on the food and his team. He said: "Now I’m working for 60 covers rather than 120 so at least now I can focus on the food properly, Launceston Place gives you that opportunity to focus on the team and make sure they are driven."

After taking to social media to announce his deaprture from The Woodford, after less than a year from taking over as head chef, Ben said he was looking at setting up his own restaurant. Talking to The Staff Canteen, Ben reassures us that this is still the plan, maybe just a little later than expected. Ben said: "That’s always the dream whether I’m lucky enough to take over Launceston Place as my own, you never know what the future holds and each year seems to be a bit different so I can never actually predict what’s going to happen but owning my own restaurant is definitely still on the cards."

Launceston Place is based in Kensignton, London and was awarded two rosettes in the AA Restaurant Guide in 2017 as well as winning the AA’s ‘Notable Wine List’ title in 2013.

.... Pleased To Finally Announce My Next Role As Head Chef Is At Launceston Place, Looking Forward To A New Start With A Great Team .... pic.twitter.com/aYa8EHTbDg

— Ben Murphy (@benchef123) 16 January 2017