Sally Abé to leave The Pem

Chef Sally Abé is set to leave her restaurant The Pem at the end of next month.

The Pem is based at the Conrad London St James hotel, and will continue to trade under the same name for now, with a new chef being sought for the space.

A statement by the hotel's owner Hilton, first revealed by Restaurant Online, read: “We’re hugely grateful to Sally for her culinary leadership over the last four years, taking the hotel’s dining venues from strength to strength, building a strong culture of inclusion and empowering many up and coming women to forge a fulfilling career in the industry.

“We wish her all the best in her next endeavours.”

Sally is back competing in this year’s Great British Menu, currently airing on the BBC, and is an influential voice for women in the hospitality industry.

She previously worked at The Harwood Arms, during which time it retained its Michelin star and in 2020 topped the Estrella Damm top 50 gastropubs list.

Born in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, Sally began a hospitality business management and culinary arts degree at Sheffield Hallam University when she was 18. As part of her course, she undertook a placement at The Savoy, but when the time came for her to return to university, she decided to keep working her way up the ranks as a chef instead.

Sally's impressive CV has seen her train with some of the country's finest chefs, from Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s to The Ledbury with Brett Graham and Elystan Street with Phil Howard.

The Pem’s name was inspired by suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, nicknamed ‘Pem’ by her family, with the intention of celebrating great women past and present.

The menu at the contemporary British restaurant includes the likes of hand dived scallop, Tamworth pork belly, poached Cornish cod and buttermilk panna cotta, with a £110 tasting menu also part of the offering.

The Hilton statement added: “The Pem will continue to offer guests an exceptional dining experience following Sally’s departure, and we look forward to sharing more detail about plans for the restaurant soon.”

Sally is the second high profile chef to announce their departure from a restaurant this week, with Lisa Goodwin-Allen also moving on from Northcote Manor, after 23 years.

The Staff Canteen has contacted Sally for comment.