Restaurant announces new head chef

Lichfield restaurant The Boat Inn has announced an internal promotion for Mike West as he has been appointed as head chef.

Mike West joined the Walsall Road venue in 2019 with a background at some of the best restaurants in the Midlands and has been promoted to Head Chef after showing his skill as a chef especially during the various lockdowns when The Boat Inn diversified into 'heat at home' dishes.

Having spent time working at acclaimed venues like The Moathouse in Stafford and Adams in Birmingham Mike joined owner Liam Dillon three years ago and, in that time, the 25-year-old has invested professionally and emotionally in The Boat Inn.

Liam said: “He is constantly at the forefront; thinking and creating dishes and I know there is a lot more to come. and as a person you would implicitly trust this guy. When Covid hit we all bonded as a team and hatched a plan to get through it including heat at home dishes and the outdoor terrace menu. Mike was one of the leaders who helped the business. ”

“When Covid hit it was tough. Like many business owners or leaders, I felt isolated and lonely and needed his or her best team to support them. Not only is Mike an excellent chef, he showed me a side of him that said to me one day he would become a head chef and I 'm delighted he 's in that position here with me. ”

Mike said: “I 'm delighted to become the Head Chef here at The Boat Inn. Thanks to Liam for guiding me and to the team for simply being excellent chefs. Being a chef is more than just a job, it 's a vocation and I 'm looking forward to leading the team and making more delicious food.

To book visit www.theboatinnlichfield.com or call 01543 361692

Pictured: Liam Dillon and Mike West, the new Head Chef at The Boat Inn