Young US chef Holli Ugalde announced as head chef at the Savoy

13th August 2010, 4:40pm

American chef Holli Ugalde is set to take over as head chef of the celebrated Savoy Grill in London when it reopens in October.

The appointment was announced following the broadcast of her winning the US version of Gordon Ramsay's reality cooking show Hell's Kitchen on television on August 11.

As the winner, she won $250,000 plus the opportunity of a six month placement at Ramsay's new restaurant at the Savoy Hotel. She will now work alongside current head chef Andy Cook and his team when the hotel reopens following restoration work worth more than £200m.

The show finale, which was filmed 18 months ago, was kept under wraps until it was aired in August. The 24 year old from California, who has worked up the ranks from pastry chef and banqueting chef to sous chef and executive chef in her own country, has  been working as executive chef in Palm Springs since winning the show.

Related Articles:

• 23 Nov 2010 - Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen USA winner denied visa to work at Savoy Grill
• 19 Aug 2010 - 'End the macho culture in kitchens' says chef Michael Caines
• 28 Jan 2010 - The Savoy Hotel relaunch delayed due to infrastructure problems
• 15 May 2007 - Savoy to close for £100m refit

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Justin

14 August 2010 at 2:53am

As long as she is head chef, I wont ever visit the Savoy. After seeing how she acted on the show, I have no faith in her culinary skills. Once it was down to her and Jay, she knew she could win by seducing him. Rather than have confidence in her skills as a chef, she decided to use her feminine wiles. Just shameful.

Holly Loussaert

15 August 2010 at 2:33am

Way to go Holli. You and your little buggy should be so proud. I loved watching you win.

Molly

16 August 2010 at 6:33pm

Way to go Holli! I was rooting for you to go all the way from the beginning!!

gail

26 October 2010 at 5:32pm

Only a man such as Justin could make a comment about her sexuality. Yet she was really good and it was jay who kept talking about jumping into bed with her. Go Holli GO well done

Jon Arnold

27 October 2010 at 3:11am

I am so delighted for hollie, I was cheerin for her on every weeks show! Keep up the good work and hopefully I can afford to dine at one of your restaurants soon :) p.s hollie ur soon is the cutest thing ever :)

John

27 October 2010 at 5:57pm

Cheers Justin, another caveman's sexist comments making us all look bad, just try to grow up eh?

Daniel

28 October 2010 at 9:06am

Difficult choice for Ramsay for the most prestigious restaurant in London (possibly Europe). Two people with similar skils; one an ego bloated slob with blue hair the other an intelligent, attractive, vivacious woman. How did he ever decide!

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