Biography: Ben Purton
As Executive Head Chef of the iconic mid-century Lancaster London (one of the largest banqueting hotels in Europe) Ben oversees the hotels two restaurants Island Grill and Nipa Thai, banqueting for up to 3,000 guests, room service, plus the menus and Afternoon Tea in the Lounge Bar.
He is also responsible for an 85-strong kitchen brigade (including chefs, support staff, stewarding, etc), plus Lancaster Londons Apprentice Scheme which gives young people the opportunity to become fully trained in all areas of the kitchen operation. The hands-on course has seen a 100% success rate this year, with five out of five apprentices being retained for their second year of employment. Six new apprentices started in September 2014, to embark upon rotational roles in every area of the kitchen.
Undeniably, one of Bens main achievements is his constant commitment to developing young people. His outstanding devotion to Springboard, after being made an ambassador in 2003, has seen him both mentor and judge for Future Chef. As well as immersing himself in Springboard professionally, Ben is now taking his commitment a step further by participating in a trek to Peru with the organisation in March 2016.
Ben mentors students from schools and colleges such as UWL, Westminster Kingsway, and Waltham Forest College. He runs master classes and work experience opportunities to develop students into casuals and then full timers once they have reached the required standards and finished college.
Island Grill and Nipa Thai have experienced huge benefits from the changes initiated by Ben. With a previous ranking of 600 on Trip Advisor, Island Grill has moved up to 109. Meanwhile, Nipa Thai has jumped from 930 to 292 in just 9 months. These impressive figures demonstrate that his strategy of motivating and retaining the best talent has had a positive impact on not only the morale of his team, but the entire hotel and its profits.
Ben is renowned for his passion and dedication for giving back to the community. Whether this is training ex-offenders and giving them a much needed second chance to succeed in the workplace, organising work placements for students, judging Springboards Future Chef Competition, or auctioning himself as a prize for charity, Ben always goes above and beyond. In 2001, he became a Springboard Ambassador for the Hospitality Industry to encourage young people to join the industry and won their Ambassador Award in 2003.
Ben appeared on BBCs Masterchef in 2013 whilst in his most recent position as Executive Chef at The Royal Horseguards Hotel. Ben has also worked at Selfridges Department Store, Hyatt Regency London The Churchill, and as Executive Chef at Goldman Sachs.
Starting his career as a Kitchen Porter, aged 16, at the Woodford Moat House in Essex, Ben quickly rose through the ranks to Commis Chef at the hotel, eventually moving to The Hyatt Carlton Tower in 1994, aged 19.
