New head chef to oversee Sam’s restaurants in Hammersmith and Brentford

Luke Maynard has previously been Head Chef at Rovi restaurant in Fitzrovia and The National Portrait Gallery restaurant

Luke Maynard

Restaurateur Sam Harrison and his co-director Fanny Stocker have announced the appointment of Luke Maynard as Group Head Chef for their four west London businesses – Sam’s Riverside (Hammersmith), Sam’s Waterside (Brentford), Sam’s Kitchen and Sam’s Larder.

Luke joins the company from Rovi restaurant in Fitzrovia where he has been Head Chef throughout 2026.

Prior to that, he was at The Portrait Restaurant by Richard Corrigan at The National Portrait Gallery, as Head Chef for nearly three years.

Other previous experience includes with Gordon Ramsay Restaurants at several of their London properties in Head Chef roles – The River Restaurant at The Savoy (2022-23), Lucky Cat Mayfair (2022-23), and Maze Mayfair (various roles from Commis Chef in 2016 through to Head Chef from 2018-19).

“Luke’s broad and prestigious experience will be invaluable to our business development,” said Sam.

“We want to build on the restaurants’ successes to date and also ensure that our food offering in each site reflects our commitment to our customers’ expectations with sustainable, seasonal modern British menus.”

Sam’s Riverside

Celebrating 21 years of running restaurants in west London

Sam Harrison celebrates 21 years of running restaurants in west London this year. His first was Sam’s Brasserie in Chiswick.

Sam’s Riverside restaurant was launched in November 2019, offering a modern European menu with a focus on Anglo-French dishes. Next to the Riverside Studios, it overlooks the Thames, with impressive views of Hammersmith Bridge.

It was named Hospitality Business of the Year at the Hammersmith & Fulham Business Awards 2026 last month.

Sam’s Kitchen in Hammersmith offers ‘an elevated menu’ of breakfast, brunch & lunch dishes – crab crumpets, bacon & egg muffin, as well as Sam’s Granola with coconut yoghurt, seasonal fruit, fresh pastries. Open daily from 8.00 am.

Sam’s Larder is also in Hammersmith. An extension of the restaurants. the grocery shop sells produce from producers who supply the restaurants – Cobble Lane, Chalk Stream Farm, HG Walter, Neal’s Yard Dairy, Seven Seeded Artisan Bakery, The Grocer on Elgin.

Sam’s Waterside

Sam’s Waterside opened in Brentford in November 2023, offering a similar brasserie style to Sam’s Riverside with a focus on modern British cuisine and a strong focus on local ingredient sourcing, including working with Chiswick House Kitchen Garden & Phoenix Farm in White City.