Chef Rimmer’s hometown brief at DoubleTree hotel

LIVERPOOL-born TV chef Simon Rimmer will add a further touch of local flavour when the city’s new DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel opens in December.

The much-delayed project, at the Grade II-listed Municipal Annexe on the corner of Dale Street and Sir Thomas Street, will include Layla Brasserie – Simon Rimmer’s first venue in his hometown.

The multi-million pound development is owned by racehorse and recently Salford City Reds rugby club owner Marwan Koukash, who described the restoration of the building over the last six years as “a labour of love”.doubletree liverpool koukash rimmer

Mr Rimmer, who owns the popular Greens and Earle restaurants in south Manchester, will be involved at every level of Layla Brasserie, including developing the concept, recruiting the team and creating the menu.

The four-star 87-bedroom DoubleTree by Hilton Liverpool, is operated by Interstate and is still in fit-out stage.

Commenting on the link with Simon Rimmer, hotel general manager David Hughes said: “We are delighted to welcome such a well loved name on the food scene to our beautiful new hotel.

“This is a hotel that Liverpool deserves and we therefore wanted to give the city one of the country’s finest chefs to head-up its most prestigious destination restaurant, venue and hotel.”

Simon Rimmer added: “We are in the process of hand-picking the most talented and creative chefs in the hospitality industry who will join the team in Liverpool. Thanks to their expertise, my vision for creating something really special and my ambition to be the best independent neighbourhood restaurant in Liverpool is being realised.”

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