Upstairs appoints new commercial development chef
Jones returns to Upstairs, having worked alongside Shepherd from October 2021 - July 2024, where he was junior sous chef when the restaurant won a Michelin star after just four months
Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, Staffordshire’s first and only Michelin-starred restaurant, has announced the appointment of Dan Jones as its new commercial development chef.
With a wealth of experience at some of the UK’s “most celebrated” Michelin-starred establishments, Jones will play a pivotal role in further enhancing Upstairs’ culinary offerings while also contributing to the restaurant’s expanding consultancy services.
Jones returns to Upstairs, having worked alongside Shepherd from October 2021 – July 2024, where he was junior sous chef when the restaurant won a Michelin star after just four months.
Prior to working at Upstairs, Jones’ culinary journey also includes key roles at some of the UK’s most prestigious restaurants, including:
- Demi chef de partie at Moor Hall (Two Michelin Stars), where he worked with ingredients foraged from the kitchen’s gardens.
- Chef de partie at The Black Swan at Oldstead (One Michelin Star), where he refined his skills in seafood preparation, fermentation, and cold starters.
- Commis chef at Fairlawns Hotel and Spa (2 AA Rosettes), where he built a strong foundation in pastry and banquet preparation.
In addition to his culinary skills, Jones brings a passion for menu development, trend awareness, and flavour profiling.
As commercial development chef, Jones will collaborate with head chef Michael Blades and the culinary team to create inspired new dishes and spearhead creative projects from bespoke menus at the immersive kitchen table to private dining for up to 36 guests.
He will also be contributing to Upstairs’ growing consultancy division, with high-profile partnerships with Experiences by Wembley Stadium, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and Edgbaston Cricket to bespoke dining events and culinary brand collaborations.
Jones said: “Upstairs is like home from home for me, coming back to work alongside Tom and Michael is an incredible opportunity and I feel very proud to take the consultancy arm of the business forward”.
Shepherd, chef patron of Upstairs, added: “Dan has been a cornerstone of our kitchen family since the beginning, he’s gained some exceptional experience across the industry and now he is back to help us continue to push boundaries and embody the standards of excellence we strive for at Upstairs. His creativity, work ethic, and commitment to innovation make him an incredible asset, not just to our restaurant but to our consultancy projects as well. We’re excited to see how his vision helps us evolve in 2025 and beyond.”