Blakes Hotel has announced the appointment of Markus Savage as food and beverage director.

Savage will oversee all of the food and beverage operations at the South Kensington establishment, encompassing the recently re-launched Blakes Restaurant and underground bar, Blakes Below, as well as the newly designed courtyard, The Garden at Blakes.

Bringing over 20 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry to the role, he has received various accolades along the way, and gained invaluable experience during his time at some of the most iconic restaurants in London as well as the five-star hotel industry.

Savage joins Blakes Hotel following his most recent role as general manager of HIX Mayfair.

Before then he held the title of events operations manager at The Holborn Dining Room at Rosewood Hotel.

He was responsible at a senior management role to a 200 cover dining room, as well as a separate 30 cover terrace and takeaway deli.

In his earlier career Savage built a strong operational background in the food and beverage sector holding positions at The Ivy and J Sheekey’s.

He later spent eight years working as restaurant manager at The Wolseley and The Delaunay, both of which received critical acclaim under his leadership for outstanding service.

Blakes Hotel general manager Ian Telford said: “We are thrilled to welcome Markus into the Blakes family.

“His experience and skillset fits seamlessly with the high standard of quality service we uphold within the hotel.”