André Garrett says he knew the life of a chef was for him from watching his grandmother manage a restaurant. Trained in classic French cookery, and following initial work near his home town of Bath, he honed his skills at the three Nico Ladenis restaurants in London, including Chez Nico at Ninety Park Lane.
He became the youngest head chef at Nico Central, as well as fulfilling a stint at Bistrot Bruno Loubet. Restaurateur Chris Galvin encouraged Garrett to enter the Tattinger competition, in which he was a finalist - later winning a Roux Scholarship. These days, Garrett is keen to nurture the next generation of chefs and works with on Academy of Culinary arts for the Annual Awards of Excellence young chefs award and the MCA.
He took on head chef duties at Galvin’s Orrery, furnishing the eatery with a Michelin star, which he kept until his departure for Galvin At Windows.
The restaurant overlooks Hyde Park from the 28th floor of the London Hilton and has had a Michelin star of its own since 2010. Galvin At Windows specialises in serving French cuisine that’s more personal than haughty.
Bloggers enjoy the view of Buckingham Palace from the Hilton, but love the food at Garrett’s restaurant even more. Cheese and Biscuits calls Galvin At Windows ‘a mature, confident kitchen serving Michelin-star standard food’.
The Critical Couple praised its trifecta of ‘spectacular views… great food and a congenial environment’.
Restaurants
Galvin at Windows
What do you do if you can’t find a unique space for your restaurant on the crowded streets of London? Look up. Galvin at Windows follows a recent trend for sky-scraping venues – and, as you’d expect from a venue which is named thus, it offers plenty of spectacular sights. From the 28th floor of the Park Lane Hilton, with floor-to-ceiling windows providing a breathtaking view of the city’s most memorable landmarks, Galvin at Windows delights diners and critics with its blend of classic French cuisine and modern worldwide elements.
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