Birtwell, who was previously senior sous chef at Banks’s Michelin-starred restaurant The Black Swan at Oldstead, will play an integral part in the culinary offering of across the TB Hospitality portfolio, which incorporates a range of sporting, corporate and private events across the country.
They range from intimate dinners to large-scale festivals including at sports grounds such as Twickenham Stadium, Lord’s Cricket Ground and Silverstone Race Circuit.
“I’m so excited by my new role, but also hugely comforted to remain a part of a company that I’ve grown to love so much,” says Birtwell, who competed in the final of the 2024 edition of MasterChef: The Professionals.
TB Hospitality is part of The Tommy Banks Group’s Made in Oldstead division, which started as a premium food box delivery service during the pandemic and continues to deliver multi-course menus nationwide, alongside hampers and pies.
In his new role, Birtwell will be looking after culinary development with Made in Oldstead’s head chef Tom Dale, and work closely with hospitality and events manager, Ellie Knowles.
“I’m delighted George will be joining us at TB Hospitality,” says Banks
“It’s probably the fastest growing arm of our business and it’s great that George can take centre stage. He’s worked at The Black Swan for a few years so he knows our values inside out as well as what we want to achieve.
“He’s up for the challenge and I know he can help us enormously in making a big change in the sector.”