Young US chef Holli Ugalde announced as head chef at the Savoy

American chef Holli Ugalde is set to take over as head chef of the celebrated Savoy Grill in London when it reopens in October.

The appointment was announced following the broadcast of her winning the US version of Gordon Ramsay's reality cooking show Hell's Kitchen on television on August 11.

As the winner, she won $250,000 plus the opportunity of a six month placement at Ramsay's new restaurant at the Savoy Hotel. She will now work alongside current head chef Andy Cook and his team when the hotel reopens following restoration work worth more than £200m.

The show finale, which was filmed 18 months ago, was kept under wraps until it was aired in August. The 24 year old from California, who has worked up the ranks from pastry chef and banqueting chef to sous chef and executive chef in her own country, has  been working as executive chef in Palm Springs since winning the show.

Words: Sheila Eggleston

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