Paula's story

"I began working for Chapter One 20 years ago this year. I started on a part-time basis, as I wasn't really sure if this was the career path I wanted to follow.

I was recruited as a runner, a position which gave me a really good overview of how a restaurant works. After some time, I progressed out of the kitchen into a front-of-house role. I learned new skills, and after a few more years, a 'chef de rang' position became vacant in the main restaurant. With all the skills I had learned, I felt confident in applying and was delighted when I was offered the post. Later my efforts were rewarded with promotion to Assistant Manager, and then to Restaurant Manager.

Chapter One

I have been fully supported throughout my career at Chapter One, not only by my immediate managers, but also by the restaurant's directors, I am learning how to run a business now from a strategic point of view. They take pride in investing time and money in staff, and I have always been encouraged to learn and progress through the business.

There's a great sense of team spirit amongst the staff. In addition, we all get great personal satisfaction from being part of and making a difference to a customer's dining experience. It is testament to the company that in an industry notorious for a high staff turn-over that many of the staff in the restaurant have been with us for so long.

It may sound like a cliché, but once you become part of the team, you no longer work for Chapter One. You become part of it."

Dean's story

Dean joined Chapter One as a commis chef in 2001. He worked his way up through the ranks of the kitchen staff, then broadened his horizons as sous chef at the double-Michelin-starred The Square restaurant in London's Mayfair. Now we're delighted to say he's back with us and has been promoted to Head Chef closely working alongside our Chef Patron, Andrew McLeish.

"Chapter One will always have a special place in my heart," says Dean. "It's where I cut my teeth and honed my skills as a chef. And now, as Head Chef, I can play a key role in creating a very special dining experience for our customers. It's a dream come true. And it's been made possible by the amazing support I have received from the Chapter Ones owners and senior management team."