Chef Kiran Selvarajan, Brings Plant-Based Creations
Kiran Selvarajan was hired by The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton, to serve as the new Executive Chief Chef of The Folio Bar & Kitchen. With nearly 28 years of international culinary expertise in a variety of five-star deluxe hotels, Selvarajan joins the team. As he changes the gourmet menu in the hotel's main restaurant to concentrate on new dishes with a strong emphasis on healthy living and plant-based ingredients, Selvarajan is starting his new position at an exciting moment. Every dish will incorporate both a modern twist and home-cooked conventional British cuisine.
The Fellows House, the first Curio Collection by Hilton property in Cambridge, opened its doors in July 2021. It joins a collection of hotels that have been carefully chosen for their unique personalities and charm. The location is great for both extended stays and short visits, as well as for gatherings with loved ones to celebrate significant occasions like graduations and birthdays. The Folio Bar & Kitchen is the main restaurant of the building. It focuses on using locally sourced ingredients to reduce food waste and make a healthy menu for diners. The restaurant and neighbouring bar blend the old and the new, rewriting the history of food and drink in Cambridge and promoting a tranquil and stimulating environment for dining and drinking.
The New Menu
The Fellows House's commitment to serving healthy, high-quality food is shown by its new gourmet menu, which features traditional British dishes made with ingredients from the local area and a modern twist. The rise of vegetarianism and veganism has had a big impact on the new menu. Recipes like "Seared Tofu Steak," "Chermoula Squash," and "Plant Wellington" show this. All three dishes adhere to the future wellness-focused market while reinterpreting beloved, hearty dishes. The Fellows Tofish & Chips and The Fellows Chicken Burger, two items on the new menu that cater to all customers, draw influence from foreign markets.
The new drinks are worth trying, especially "The Principia," which uses tequila blanco and nectarine liqueur and draws inspiration from Isaac Newton's natural philosophy and mathematical concepts. As an alternative, visitors can sample the "Theatre of Imagination," a cocktail made with Linden Leaf 8 gin and named after Quentin Blake's book. Soon, the Folio Bar & Kitchen will have seasonal menus and previously unknown treats that will appeal to both potential customers and longtime Fellows House fans.
On his new position as Executive Head Chef, Selvarajan comments, "The last five years has seen a rapid movement towards veganism and plant-based food with a conscious attitude of "healthy food equalling healthy minds". My personal and work background has influenced the new food concept at The Folio Bar & Kitchen with a play on traditional British classics like fish and chips, but the batter ingredients include Noori and the chicken burger features a variety of Korean spices. We want to ensure the new menu caters to everyone’s palettes as our guests travel from all over. For our long staying guests, we like to really understand their likes and dislikes so we can tailor our food and beverage accordingly - and offer them a diverse menu."
Selvarajan started out his culinary career in India as a Senior Sous Chef at Taj Palace Delhi, one of the leading hotels of the world, where he progressed for nearly eight years before moving to the UK in 2004. In the UK, Selvarajan successfully achieved two AA Rosettes and many Laurels across well-established hotel brands including Hilton, Q hotels, Warner’s, and IHG. Selvarajan understands the value of teamwork and the level of professionalism that is vital for the growth of The Folio Bar & Kitchen. Selvarajan looks forward to supporting the guests and community in making wise culinary choices by adopting a healthier lifestyle, championing local produce and indulging in guilt-free pleasures.
Rooms at The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton, start from £170 per night for 2 people staying in a Kipling King room on a B&B basis. For more visit www.thefellowshousecambridge.curiocollection.com.
