The Grand in Eastbourne has appointed a new Executive Head Chef to oversee all dining across the five-star seaside hotel.
Hrvoje Loncaravec returns to The Grand, where he first started his career at the age of 20 as a commis chef in the hotel’s two AA Rosette, Mirabelle Restaurant.
As well as spending more than 10 years of his early career working at The Grand and its sister hotel, Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, Hrvoje has held roles with the Bannatyne Group and at the Amex Stadium as Head Chef.
In his role as Executive Head Chef at The Grand, Hrvoje will be responsible for everything from the hotel’s Garden Restaurant and lounge dining menus to conference and banqueting catering, wedding menus and room service. He will also oversee the Mirabelle Restaurant, working closely with Mirabelle Head Chef Stephanie Malvoisin.
Hrvoje is passionate about training and development and has already started new in-house training schemes at The Grand, as well as introducing a ‘man of the match’ staff recognition scheme, inspired by his time in stadia catering.
Speaking after his appointment, Hrvoje said: “I’m really excited to be returning to The Grand; I’ve got so many memories of the hotel, I got married here and my kids have always referred to it as ‘Daddy’s House’ whenever we drive past. After I left the Elite Hotel Group to gain wider experience, I promised my wife I would be back at The Grand as Executive Head Chef by the age of 40 – I’ve managed it by 38 so I’m ahead of schedule!
“I consider Keith Mitchell, The Grand’s former Executive Head Chef, as one of my mentors from when I was a teenager entering cooking competitions, and his handover to me was the best I’ve ever had. He has passed on 27 years of his investment in the hotel and I’m proud to take his chair in the office and the reigns in the kitchen.”
Graeme Bateman, Managing Director of the Elite Hotel Group said: “I am delighted to welcome Hrvoje back to the Elite fold – he is a fantastically talented chef, evidenced by the 30-plus competitions he has entered and won or placed in, and his passion for The Grand is clear for all to see. Since joining the team just a couple of months ago Hrvoje has already launched a new casual dining lounge menu, room service menu, wedding menus and conference and banqueting menus – he has thrown himself into the role and his energy knows no bounds.”
Hrvoje’s next challenge at The Grand will be creating banqueting menus for two of the hotel’s special events – the Elite In Residence performance by Damian Montagu & Stewart Prosser on 3 November and the Pasadena Roof Orchestra weekend from 22 – 24 November.
For more information about The Grand visit www.grandeastbourne.com, and for Elite Hotels visit www.elitehotels.co.uk.