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.

Helen Gordon

Assistant Manager

Originally from New Zealand, Helen is the newest addition to the team and brings with her our shared passion for delivering the best possible hospitality to our guests. Helen has a great energy and passion that will only make Sam's a better place.

Sunil Karwasra

Head Barman

Sunil has worked for us for a while on the bar and I am thrilled that he has decided to take on more responsibility and develop his role. Sunil makes a mean cocktail and will always find something to match your mood.

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!

Marco Nicoletti

Junior Sous Chef

I am very pleased when we promote from within and so it is great that Marco has become a Junior Sous Chef and brings his own Italian flair to the kitchen and our cooking.

Behind the Scenes

Fiona Waite

Marketing and Administration Manager

Fiona joined the team back in May 2006 to assist me in the office. Since then Fiona has developed into our Marketing and Administration Manager and is integral to the smooth running of Sam’s and Harrison’s! Fiona is responsible for our websites and newsletters – both of which get fantastic feedback and have been nominated for awards within the industry.

Fiona is currently away on maternity leave, we are so happy for her and love when she brings the baby in to visit us.

Rangi Hamlin

Reservations and Administration Manager

Rangi joined us in 2007 and has bought his New Zealand flair to the team ever since. Recently Rangi has taken on the responsibility of the duties in the office while Fiona is on maternity leave.