Pidgin, the 28-seater Hackney neighbourhood restaurant by James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy, has announced Naz Hassan as its new Head Chef.
Bangladesh-born Naz brings 15 years experience working in the kitchens at some of London’s most celebrated restaurants including BiBi, The Cut at 45 Park Lane, Social Eating House and Crispin. His dishes at Pidgin will offer refined, contemporary European cooking with East and South Asian accents, with each ingredient deserving its place and purpose on the plate. Sample dishes include:
- Brown shrimp kakiage with chive mayo
- Asparagus, apricot and lardo
- Lamb belly birria taco
- Peach and lemon verbena mille-feuille
Of his appointment, Naz said: “I've always thought of Pidgin as one of East London's culinary institutions, so I'm beyond thrilled to be joining the excellent team as Head Chef. I want to bring the energy, flavours and excitement to my dishes that made me fall in love with London - nothing gimmicky or for show; just delicious, well cooked food, presented simply and elegantly.”
Pidgin opened its doors in 2015 and quickly became renowned for its innovative, weekly-changing tasting menus - with no dish ever being repeated in the eight years since opening.
- Ends -
pidginlondon.com | @pidginlondon
For more information or imagery please contact georgina@toniccomms.co.uk
Notes to editors
Pidgin: 52 Wilton Way, London E8 1BG
Opening hours:
Wednesday - Friday: 6pm - 11pm
Saturday & Sunday: 12.30pm - 11pm
About Pidgin:
Pidgin came to life as The Secret Larder, a supper club in north London by friends James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy. The small 28-seat restaurant opened in Hackney in 2015 to critical acclaim, with Marina O’Loughlin describing the restaurant’s approach as “as fresh and vibrant as a citron pressé”. Pidgin serves a weekly-changing tasting menu, no dish ever being repeated in eight years of service. It has gained a reputation as an incubator for some of London’s greatest chef talent, with previous Head Chefs including Adolfo De Cecco (Casa Fofó), Elizabeth Haigh (Mei Mei) and Drew Snaith (Nehmann). The kitchen is now headed up by Head Chef Naz Hassan.
About James Ramsden and Sam Herlihy:
James was born in North Yorkshire. Following a 3-month cookery course at Ballymaloe in Ireland, he started a freelance food-writing career. He has published several cookbooks.
Sam was born in North London, and was the frontman for band Hope of the States before meeting James and starting Pidgin together.
As well as Pidgin, the pair own Sons + Daughters, the sandwich bar concept in Borough and Coal Drops Yard, and host The Kitchen Is On Fire, a podcast exploring the complex and often confusing world of modern gastronomy with special guests.
