Simon Rogan appoints Marcus Noack as group executive chef at his Umbel Restaurant Group

Chef-restaurateur Simon Rogan has appointed Marcus Noack as the new group executive chef at his Umbel Restaurant Group.

Marcus will replace Mark Birchall, who left to pursue his first solo venture earlier this year, on January 4 2016.

>>> Read: Former L'Enclume chef Mark Birchall announces new restaurant with rooms

Simon Rogan spoke to The Staff Canteen about his latest recruitment and said: “Marcus will be working at my side on the cooking and creative side of things. It’s quite an important position for us to fill.

"Normally we like to promote from within the company when we can, and we have a lot of very talented people working with us but on this occasion I felt the need to bring someone in from outside the company to give us a different look at things and give us a fresh impetus.”

Marcus' last role was culinary director at Johann Lafer’s Michelin-starred Table d’Or (in Guldental, Germany), he also worked at three-Michelin-starred Überfahrt in Rottach-Egern and one Michelin star Brenners Park hotel and spa in Baden-Baden.

Asked why Marcus was right for the role, Simon said: “He has that really annoying German efficiency which we all know and love, he’s very articulate, and very talented.

"He’s got a massive development background, which is a big part of our business, keeping things new and fresh is really important to us, and he offers a different approach and a new pair of eyes to look at things. I’m very excited about this appointment.

"We took our time to find the right person, it was a calculated decision and it had to be the right person for the job. I believe we got the right man.”

Simon has also promoted Sam Ward at L’Enclume to operations manager, which is a role Simon believes Sam thoroughly deserves.

He explained: “Once again there was a gap to fill, the company is growing fast, and we need that person out front to match what we’ve got in the kitchen and maintain our standards. Sam has worked with me for a long time now and he’s got L’Enclume up to the most amazing service standards we’ve ever had. We had to promote him."

Further appointments have been made at the Rogan & Company, as Lee Bird has been made head chef. Simon spoke of Lee’s progress at the Rogan & Co. saying: "Lee is getting on really well! I know Lee from well back when we opened The French together. He’s a very dedicated and a very talented guy.

"I’m very excited for Lee. I’ve been waiting for someone to really excite me, take Rogan & Co. by the scruff of the neck and make a name for themselves and Lee is that person. I’m up next week at Rogan & Company and it will be a great chance to work with him. He’ll have mine and Marcus’ support and hopefully we’ll create something really successful at the Rogan & Company."