Biz People: the chef passes the baton; Peter dons his whites; Kerry’s Special Dance Competition Rival

Hotel chef hands over after three decades

Everything changes in the kitchen of one of Bournemouth’s top hotels as the head chef more than three decades behind hangs up his whites.

This month saw the end of a 32-year career as head chef at the Miramar Hotel on East Cliff for Chris Rackham.

During his time he led the kitchen team serving a la carte menus, weddings and receptions, a bar menu and countless breakfasts.

Theo Iakimov, hotel manager, pictured left, said: “We calculated that Chris and his team prepared hundreds of thousands of meals, including more than 90,000 Sunday lunches and around 5,000 dinners. Christmas.

“It’s quite an accolade, especially as customers always compliment us on our quality catering offering, whether they’re here for a traditional afternoon tea, bistro lunch or banquet.

“The Blakemore family, owners of the hotel, and the entire team thank the chef for his hard work, dedication and time leading the kitchen team and developing our food offering to the quality it is today today.”

Leaving his role in good hands, Chris handed over to new chef Robert Feuillet.

Rob brings many years of experience as a 2 Rosette award winning chef in restaurants and hotels across the UK and looks forward to continuing to build the reputation of Miramar Hotel and Restaurant No 43 as a gastronomic destination.

Rob said: “I have enjoyed the transfer spell with Chief Chris and his legacy is in good hands.

“Hotel Miramar will continue to offer seasonal and local menu options, and I look forward to meeting the guests who dine with us.”

Hotel Miramar is a 43-room, four-star hotel that is also a popular wedding venue in addition to being open to non-residents.

Restaurant #43 serves dinner and lunch on Sundays, with the Ocean Bar & Terrace menu offering everything from lunches and light snacks to Miramar afternoon tea by the sea.

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Peter puts on his whites to see the reality facing students

Professor Peter Jones, chairman of the CRUMBS project, put on his white clothes to see firsthand the reality that students face on a daily basis.

At an open lunch, Peter helped CRUMBS intern Bethan make bread and butter pudding.

Peter said: “It’s been a few years since I last wore my whites, but I’m glad that many of those hard-earned leadership skills haven’t let me down.

“Working with Bethan and the other CRUMBS interns is a very rewarding experience.

“It makes you aware of the challenges that people with this range of disabilities face in their daily lives.

“That’s why we’re here and doing what we do, to improve their lives and help them become independent and find jobs.”

Commenting on the bread and butter pudding, Vocational Training Manager Lee Whalley wasn’t entirely convinced they needed that much double cream for the recipe.

However, he conceded that the result was extremely good and much appreciated by the guests.

As reported on Dorset Biz News, the CRUMBS project has won the IoH Gregory De La Pena-Hall MIH Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Employer of the Year Award 2022.

It was also selected as a semi-finalist in the Education category at the DMB Tourism Awards for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

• Find out more about the work carried out by CRUMBS Project and the training places available here.

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Kerry takes on a very special rival in Business Come Dancing

Kerry Houston-Kypta of Dorset law firm Coles Miller will face a very special rival in this year’s brilliant Business Come Dancing competition – best man in her wedding!

Commercial property lawyer Kerry and her professional dance partner Marek Lynch will perform Argentine tango.

Meanwhile, his best man Jack Siriphant from Kings Beach Residence teamed up with Marek’s dance partner, Georgia Damalidou, for the salsa.

Business Come Dancing takes place on November 19 at the Bournemouth Highcliff Marriott Hotel on West Cliff.

This is the second time Kerry, pictured, has taken part in Business Come Dancing.

At the first event, in 2014, she was narrowly propelled to second place… on the evening of her tenth wedding anniversary.

Kerry, partner at Coles Miller and head of the Poole-based firm’s commercial property team, said: “Competing with Jack and Georgia will be great – it will make the evening even more fun!”

She was an avid dancer as a child and in college but – until Business Come Dancing – had never competed.

“It will be nice to dust off my dancing shoes again,” she said.

Business Come Dancing is organized by Pavilion Dance South West, which is dedicated to transforming communities through dance.

The event is the main annual fundraiser for the charity which supports many communities including:

• people living with long-term illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease
• youth struggle to access the program due to mental health barriers
• nursing home residents
• families with financial barriers to accessing dance and the arts
• schools and colleges
• performers.

For this year’s Business Come Dancing, Pavilion Dance South West is partnering with #Willdoes, a charity dedicated to introducing young people to sports and other activities to help them:

• connect and engage socially
• develop coping mechanisms to help manage anxiety and emotions
• increase self-awareness, build trust and relationships.

Kerry is hoping to raise £250 for Pavilion Dance South West.

Supporters can donate via its Givey page here.