Plymouth’s Crowne Plaza takes on new Executive Chef with an eye for the exciting

Samantha Williams-Wright has done everything from training prison inmates to cooking for billionaires – and now she has some great ideas to tempt the Crowne Plaza’s guests and visitors.

The talented chef, who grew up in Plymouth, said: “It is so wonderful to have been offered such a position in the place I call home.  With its recent refurbishment, the hotel is looking fabulous and has a great atmosphere, but I still have a few ideas I’d like to try out to keep the menu fresh and interesting.  It is important that guests and visitors come to the hotel and not only receive great service in lovely surroundings but have a few pleasant surprises too.”

Sam has plans to introduce new menus in Drakes, the hotel’s open plan ground floor restaurant and bar in addition to creating new banquet and wedding menus which will complete the recently refurbished event space at the hotel.

Starting work as Head Chef at Plymouth Pavilions, she moved to the Channel Islands working for 20 years for the States of Jersey Prison Service as well as running her own catering company providing private fine dining and functions to numerous clients including multi billionaires.

No stranger to mass catering, she frequently organised large civic banquets and functions for dignitaries including Prime Minister John Major, Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones.  Alongside this she has also provided catering and trouble-shooting services for pubs, restaurants and businesses throughout the South West; worked as a food lecturer at Stafford College, where she trained budding chefs to degree level; and spent time in Dartmoor Prison – working as Head Chef.

The new Crowne Plaza on Armada Way opened in June after being re-branded from Holiday Inn and following the opening of a Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill on the top floor.  With its function rooms now fully refurbished, the hotel transformation is finally complete and, with Samantha’s appointment, General Manager Kevin Byrnes now has his team in place and a fully functioning hotel to run.

“2017 has been a busy year for us here.  Over the last nine months we have fully refurbished the hotel and opened Marco Pierre White’s popular Steakhouse Bar & Grill - which has just won ‘Best Newcomer’ in the Marco Pierre White national restaurant awards.  We’ve done all this whilst maintaining, and growing, the high standard of hospitality and service that the hotel is known for, and hope Plymouth will be as proud of our achievement as we are.”

“Plymouth is a unique, great & vibrant, city and we are delighted to be a part of it.  The hotel, with its restaurants, gym and pool, is here for Plymouth people to enjoy as much as for visitors to the City.  With the appointment of Sam, and the continuing support of the terrific team already in place, we look forward to some exciting times ahead.”

Sam played for the Cornish Pirates ladies rugby team for two seasons and still holds the record as the strongest woman in Plymouth after she pulled three double decker busses along The Hoe.  She added “I’ve done some amazing things so far in my career but this really is a dream job for me.  The Crowne Plaza is more than just a hotel, it’s a great place to meet up, relax, have a few drinks and enjoy the freshly prepared food, atmosphere and amazing views.  I really can’t wait to start work.”