Searcys and BaxterStorey announce partnership with Richard Corrigan

Richard Corrigan has been appointed a chef partner by Searcys and BaxterStorey, both part of the WSH Group.

Searcys has collaborated with Corrigan in the past and he will be working alongside chefs in the business to develop new menus and signature dishes for the caterer's venues, including the Gherkin and the Barbican in London and the Pump Room in Bath. As part of the partnership, he will also be working with BaxterStorey in the UK and Ireland.

Corrigan said: "It's great to be back working with Searcys, BaxterStorey and the wider family, and to be part of mentoring the next generation of chefs. They work in some fantastic locations across the UK and the shared commitment to food provenance and unpretentious cooking makes it a match made in heaven!"

His restaurant, Corrigan's Mayfair in London, won the 2010 Menu of the Year Catey, while the chef himself won Restaurateur of the Year – Independent in 2018. He also owns Bentley's Oyster Bar & Grill off Piccadilly and Daffodil Mulligan near Old Street. His estate, Virginia Park Lodge in County Cavan, Ireland, provides his restaurants with wild herbs, vegetables and fruits, as well as his soon to open Park Café in Dublin.

Paul Jackson, managing director at Searcys, said: "We are incredibly excited to be working with Richard Corrigan. His passion for seasonally led locally sourced British and Irish ingredients along with his belief that hospitality is about creating magical moments reflects the Searcys' ethos. It's a real cultural alignment and we look forward to drawing on his flair and Michelin-starred experience to further develop our food offering and create memorable events."

Ronan Harte, chief executive at BaxterStorey, added: "We have a long-standing relationship with Richard, and I am delighted to welcome him into the business to support menu development across the UK and Ireland…

"This strong partnership will not only help us build on a bright future for our chefs but will further drive our bold and exciting food innovation which centres around delighting the customer through memorable food experiences."

BaxterStorey provides hospitality services including restaurants, café bars, delis and executive dining rooms, employing more than 5,500 people at more than 600 locations.

Searcys, the UK's oldest British caterer, was founded by John Searcy in 1847, and oversees the catering at venues across the UK, including Blenheim Palace and St Pancras International.