Meet the Team

Sam Harrison

Owner

My passion for the restaurant industry started at the age of 16 when I started waitering for friends catering firms. After I finished school I decided to further my interest in hospitality and completed a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Oxford Brookes University.

After working at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Cornwall for four years, I moved to Australia and worked with some internationally renowned chefs as well as work on some fantastic new openings. I then returned to London and with the help of Rick and my fellow directors I opened Sam's in 2005.

Since opening Sam’s I have seen the restaurant scene in Chiswick grow into a real landmark location for diners, not only locally but throughout London. I am very proud of what we have achieved over the years - winning the 2006 Time Out Award for Best Local Restaurant and the 2008 Evening Standard Award for Best Value Restaurant in London - being just two of many career highlights!

My staff are an integral part of the business, without them Sam’s wouldn’t be what it is today.

OUT FRONT

Dorota Kulakowska

General Manager

I am so thrilled to have Dorota back at Sam’s as Restaurant Manager. I think it is hard to imagine anyone with a warmer, friendlier welcome than Dorota and I am so pleased to have her leading from the front and setting our standards in terms of the hospitality and the service we are famous for.

Mariusz Czapla

Bar Manager

I am really pleased that Mariusz has returned to Sam’s as Bar Manager. Mariusz has a wealth of fantastic cocktail experience and is working on some fantastic ideas for the re-opening of the bar. I always wanted Sam’s to be the best place for cocktails in West London and with Mariusz’s help, we’re going to have a really good go at achieving that.

Beata Szczepanska

Assistant Manager

Beata is our latest exciting addition to the team. Beata joins us from one of my favourite restaurants in London, E&0 in Notting Hill. As soon as I met Beata I knew she was just the sort of person I want working with us at Sam's - a truly natural front of house person who will strive every day to help make our guest experience the best possible.

Rangi Hamlin

Head Barman

Rangi joined us in 2007 and has bought his New Zealand flair to the team ever since. Rangi is a completely natural front of house person and brings a real attention to detail that is so important in restaurants. Like many Kiwis he also makes fantastic coffee!

IN THE KITCHEN

Mark Baines

Head Chef

I am hugely pleased to welcome Mark Baines as Head Chef of Sam’s kitchen. Mark started as a chef aged 17 working with Marcus Waring at Petrus and then went on to work at Hartwell House, Salt Yard and then Jamie Oliver's Fifteen for 5 years. Most recently Mark has been Training & Development Chef at Brigade, Tooley Street. Brigade operates the Beyond Food Foundation and so Mark has a real passion for working with apprentices and developing chefs. With his wealth of experience I’m certain there are exciting times ahead at Sam’s!

Roberto Dechiche

Sous Chef

Roberto has been with us five years and is a key member of the kitchen team. I love that Roberto has grown and developed with us and knows the kitchen and restaurant inside out. Roberto knows exactly what is required when we are in the "weeds".

Joe O'Neill

Junior Sous Chef

Joe is a very talented chef and has that wonderful ability to stay calm under pressure - which is very useful in a kitchen like Sam's where we can do over 250 for brunch/ lunch at the weekend! I see a great career ahead for Joe and thrilled to have him as part of our team whilst he develops and grows.

Behind the Scenes

Fiona Waite

Office/Reservations Manager

Fiona joined the team in 2006 to assist me in the office. Since then Fiona had developed to become our Office and Reservations Manager and is integral to the smooth running of Sam’s and Harrison’s! Fiona is also responsible for our website and newsletters, both of which we get fantastic feedback on and have been nominated for awards within the industry.

Barley Mow Centre, 11 Barley Mow Passage, Chiswick W4 4PH

020 8987 0555