PAUL BRINGS ROYAL EXPERIENCE AND SOCIAL DINING TO THE HUB

01/02/2008

With a culinary CV that includes cooking for members of the Royal Family, working for Albert Roux, launching his own VIP catering company and running his own restaurant in the New Forest, Paul Learney is now starting to create waves at The Hub in St Ives after being appointed as Head Chef.

Having previously cooked for the Queen, the talented chef is bringing a fresh approach to food at The Hub, having completely refocused the menu to
introduce a range of simple, colourful dishes that harness the array of fine local ingredients from in and around the town and county.

Paul’s goal is to establish a reputation for The Hub as a great, relaxed food destination with his ethos of ‘social dining’ being central to the food offering.
“It is still early days, but this is a fantastic location with wonderfully fresh and diverse ingredients, so one of the first things we’ve done is look to source every ingredient we can from right on our doorstep in the town or from within the county and develop an uncomplicated menu that focuses on freshness and flavour.

“Social dining is all about great food and drink in a relaxed setting that doesn’t cost the earth, and that’s what the menu here will seek to achieve with some
great specials and sharing plates, and fantastic steaks and seafood, combined with a fabulous wine list and a wonderful view.

“The Hub has traditionally been seen as a contemporary styled bar but our challenge now is to make people think of it as a great eating venue as well without any pretension – whether you want a coffee, one of our lunch specials or want to spend the evening eating and drinking with friends,” said Paul.

Having started his career at the Hotel Du Vin in Winchester, Paul was soon attracted to London where he worked at the Natwest Tower with Restaurant Associates under Albert Roux (which later became Tower 42 under Gary Rhodes) before moving to Red Herring events, providing high class catering for VIP events in London and across Southern England.

Eventually he opened his own restaurant ‘Graze’ in the New Forest where he developed his theme of social dining, before taking up his latest challenge in St Ives.

Hub owner Richard Boon believes the arrival of Paul is already is already starting to raise culinary eyebrows in the town.

“Paul is working on creating his own menu having effectively inherited one and has already made some major changes. Word is starting to circulate around the town about the quality of Paul's food so he has already made a great start,” said Richard.

For more information on the Hub contact them on 01736 799099.

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