Tim Harrington has taken up the position of MCC Executive Head Chef at Lord’s Cricket Ground. He starts the role in time for the first day of the 2012 season at Lord’s, as London rivals Middlesex and Surrey start their LV County Championship clash at the Home of Cricket.
Harrington joins the Lord’s kitchen team with a wealth of experience and expertise in fine dining and large volume catering, having previously held the positions of Executive Head chef at The Royal Opera House, and most recently Executive Chef at global law firm Linklaters LLP.
He will now oversee all of the catering output at Lord’s – from the players lunches on match days, to large event dinners in the Long Room – and heads up a talented MCC kitchen team, which includes resident pâtissier, Thierry Besselievre.
Speaking about his new challenge at Lord’s, Tim Harrington said:
“It’s tremendously exciting and I’m looking forward to the season starting. It’s a daunting task because expectations around the food at Lord’s are very high. But I see my job and role to enhance the experience of people visiting the Ground, and as long as the food matches the cricket and vice-versa then I’m a happy man.
“In particular I understand that the players are very happy with what is served up at lunch and tea – although I’m not sure I could eat a three course meal and go and play in the hot sunshine! So at this stage I’ve got no real plans to change the food for the players.”
In 2005 MCC incorporated its catering, meetings and events operations in-house. Today Lord’s Cricket Ground is renowned for delivering high quality events for up to 600 people in a range of unique venues, including the iconic Long Room, J.P. Morgan Media Centre, Nursery Pavilion and Thomas Lord Suite.
Last year the Ground hosted ten civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, and offers space and catering options for grand and intimate weddings. Traditional Afternoon Tea in the iconic surroundings of the Pavilion’s Long Room has also become a firm fixture at the Home of Cricket after debuting in 2011.
