Chris and Jeff Galvin run five critically acclaimed restaurants in London and two eateries in Edinburgh. Three of these have made it onto the 2013 All in One Ultimate Restaurant List for the second year running.
Baker Street’s Galvin Bistrot de Luxe - number 100 on our list - was their very first restaurant, which opened in 2005. Three years later Galvin at Windows was launched, located on the 28th floor of the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, with spectacular views over Hyde Park (restaurant manager Fred Sirieix has appeared on BBC2’s Michel Roux’s Service, and also founded the National Waiter’s Day in 2013). In 2009 came Galvin La Chapelle, in an even more dramatic location: a Grade II converted Victorian school chapel with a high vaulted ceiling. Galvin at Windows and Galvin La Chapelle are at numbers 29 and 28 on our list.
Chris has been in the restaurant business for almost 30 years. “In my career I’ve learnt that the most important things are to be patient, work hard, look after your staff, and look after your suppliers."
He predicts that the relationship between farmers and chefs will only become more important in the future. “In the coming year I think new developments in farming will continue to drive chefs’ inspiration when they are devising new ideas for their menus."
And what is his favourite meal? “My ideal Sunday lunch is roast côte de boef with truffle macaroni and hermitage jus."