Chef Kiran Selvarajan, brings plant-based creations to The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton
February 3, 2023
The Fellows House Cambridge, Curio Collection by Hilton is delighted to introduce Kiran Selvarajan as new Executive Head Chef of The Folio Bar & Kitchen. Selvarajan joins the team with nearly 28 years of international culinary experience across various five-star deluxe hotels. Selvarajan is taking on his new role at an exciting time as he pivots the apartment-style hotel’s gourmet offering in the main restaurant to focus on new dishes with a strong emphasis on healthy living and plant-based ingredients. All dishes will blend home-cooked traditional British cooking with a contemporary twist.
About The Folio Bar & Kitchen
The Fellows House opened its doors in July 2021, the apartment-style hotel is the first Curio Collection by Hilton in the city of Cambridge – joining a portfolio of carefully curated hotels handpicked for their distinctive character and unique charm. The property is ideal for both long and short stays as well as making the perfect location for celebrating important milestones like graduation and birthdays with family and friends. The Folio Bar & Kitchen is the property’s signature restaurant that specialises in locally sourced ingredients, reducing food waste and offering guests a healthy and nutritious menu. The restaurant and adjacent bar combine historic with contemporary, rewriting the food and drink script for the storied city of Cambridge encouraging a relaxing and inspiring place to drink and dine.
The New Menu
The Fellows House’s mission to serve healthy and high-quality food shines through its new gourmet offering, providing locally sourced, traditional British dishes with a modern twist. The rise in vegetarianism and veganism has played a great role in the development of the new menu in dishes such as ‘Seared Tofu Steak, ‘Chermoula Squash’ and ‘Plant Wellington’. All three dishes are a spin on well-loved, hearty dishes but adhere to the upcoming wellness focused market. The new menu also sees inspiration from international markets in ‘The Fellows Tofish & Chips’ and ‘The Fellows Chicken Burger’, catering to all guests.
The new cocktails are a must try, including ‘The Principia’, infused with tequila blanco and nectarine liqueur, which lends itself to Isaac Newton’s mathematical principles of natural philosophy. Alternatively, guests can try the Linden Leaf 8 gin-based cocktail, the ‘Theatre of Imagination’, after Quentin Blake’s book. Seasonal menus are set to become a regular feature at The Folio Bar & Kitchen along with unseen dishes that appeal to both new guests and loyal friends of The Fellows House.
On his new position as Executive Head Chef, Kiran 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.