Sparrow Mayfair appoints executive chef and GM ahead of opening

Sparrow Mayfair announces the appointment of Ivan Simeoli as its executive chef and Miles Butler as its general manager ahead of the new restaurant opening.

Simeoli will work alongside the group’s executive chef AJ McCloud on menu development. Simeoli, who was born and raised on the southern Italian coast near Napoli, has a long and established career recreating the cuisine from the region where he grew up. 

He previously worked in Passione in Fitzrovia and Osteria 60 at the Baglioni hotel; he also spent time in New York as executive chef with Giovanni Rana. More recently he was involved in smaller projects launching RAW and Itaku restaurants and has spent three years as executive chef at the Metaverse Group.

Simeoli said: “I can’t wait to go back to my Italian roots when heading up the kitchen Sparrow. The team in LA are focused on using high-quality, sustainable and organic ingredients to create bold Mediterranean classics with a twist, which is exactly how I like to cook. I will also be adding some personal touches to the menu, with a range of seasonal signature dishes exclusively for London.” 

Miles Butler has been appointed as Sparrow’s general manager. He will be leaving his current post at Soho House where he has spent the last twelve months overseeing Dean Street Townhouse hotel and restaurant in Soho. 

Butler started his career at Caprice Holdings in 2006 at the original Ivy restaurant on West Street in Covent Garden.

 Butler added: “I am thrilled to be taking on the general manager position at Sparrow, I have worked in Mayfair for many years and know the local clientele very well. I am looking forward to leading the team to recreate Sparrow’s high-energy dining experience here in London.”

Noble 33 will launch its second Sparrow restaurant in Mayfair this October. The original Sparrow Italia opened in Downtown LA in the Hotel Figueroa late last year, with a menu inspired by Italian coastal cuisine.