Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, has appointed a new Executive Chef.  In his new role, Chef Munur Kara will oversee the development of the hotel’s renowned restaurants and bars.

Munur Kara joins the resort from The Dorchester hotel in London where he was Head Chef of the busy Promenade Restaurant.  Munur’s appointment at Turnberry sees him leading a team of over 50 associates at the award-winning resort and overseeing the operations of its six restaurants, including the hotel’s signature restaurant, 1906.

The move is a return to Turnberry for Munur.  He first worked at the resort in 2004 as a Senior Sous Chef, progressing over the following five years, before leaving for London and the position of Head Chef at The Royal Horseguards hotel.

Jordi Tarrida, General Manager of Turnberry Resort, commented;

“It’s fantastic to see Munur, one of our home-grown talents, back in the kitchens at Turnberry as Executive Chef.  He will be a great asset to our senior team at Turnberry and we are looking forward to seeing him develop his own vision for our six restaurants and bars.”

Munur is now working on creating new dishes for the forthcoming 2014 menus.  He is also very keen to continue building on the success of the James Miller Room, the hotel’s intimate fine dining room which was awarded Gold Class status by the Sustainable Restaurant Association in 2012.

Munur, who has already relocated to Ayrshire to start his new job, commented;

“It’s a pleasure to be back at the beautiful Turnberry Resort after a long period in London.  I am passionate about continuing Turnberry’s commitment to working with the abundance of natural produce we have on our doorstep in Ayrshire.  It’s a great opportunity to make the most of our fantastic local ingredients and further develop our sustainable credentials.  I’m very much looking forward to developing the menu and to working hard with the terrific kitchen team.” 

Chef Munur Kara Biography

Born and raised in the East end of London to Cypriot parents, Munur has worked through the ranks of some of London’s best hotels.  Inspired by his father, also a chef, Munur’s early career was in restaurants and he chose to study food and beverage at college.  During his studies he also worked at a local butcher. 

He spent five years with Wheelers Restaurant in Tower Bridge, followed by a move to Chamberlains Restaurant in London where he met Ralph Porciani, former Executive Chef of Turnberry and now Director of Operations at the Resort. 

Porciani recruited him to join Turnberry in 2004 where he stayed for five years, including working through two Open Championships, before a Head Chef position lured him back to London in 2009. 

His first Head Chef role was at The Royal Horseguards hotel in Whitehall where he developed the hotel’s main restaurant One Twenty One Two, delivering two AA Rosettes within seven months. 

After three years, he moved to one of London’s most luxurious hotels, The Dorchester, a role that brought the opportunity to cook for international VIPs, royalty and celebrities.  

As Head Chef of the Promenade Restaurant, Munur managed a busy team, covering breakfast to supper and producing over 160 afternoon teas every day.  

His return to Turnberry as Executive Chef in 2013 is an opportunity to bring his own style of cooking and leadership to the busy Turnberry kitchens and further develop the resort’s six restaurants and bars.

For more information visit www.turnberryresort.co.uk

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For further information, please contact:

Amy Skelding amy.skelding@brightergroup.com / 0207 3269880

Turnberry, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scotland

Turnberry is located on the stunning Ayrshire coast, offering elevated views over the Irish Sea, Ailsa Craig and mountains of Arran and Kintyre. First opened in 1906 as the world’s first golf resort, Turnberry quickly established itself as the premier destination for social and sporting events. The five red star resort underwent a multi-million pound renovation programme prior to hosting the 2009 Open on its legendary Ailsa golf course and becoming part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts much acclaimed Luxury Collection.

The luxuriously appointed guest rooms include four lavish ocean-view suites and offer a perfect blend of Edwardian tradition and timeless design.

The iconic Ailsa course is currently ranked as Britain’s number one golf course by leading golf publications and consistently rated within the world’s best. For golfers, there is also the Championship Kintyre course and the Arran course, as well as the Turnberry Performance Academy. Turnberry is the perfect setting for food lovers, with a choice of unique dining experiences, including the signature restaurant 1906, which offers classic dishes with a modern twist and a unique Chef’s Table experience.

There is also the elegant Grand Tea Lounge, Ailsa Bar & Lounge, Duel in the Sun bar and Tappie Toorie restaurant overlooking the links golf courses and sea beyond. Turnberry has a well-established reputation for top class meeting and events facilities, specialising in bespoke boardroom experiences. There is also a luxurious spa offering a range of ESPA treatments. The onsite activity centre, Turnberry Adventures, offers guests a variety of distinguished outdoor activities including quad biking, archery and off-road driving. For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com/turnberry

The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts

The Luxury Collection® is an ensemble of hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world's most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination's indigenous charms and treasures. Magnificent décor, spectacular settings, impeccable service and the latest modern conveniences combine to provide a uniquely enriching experience. 

Originated in 1906 as a collection of Europe's most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of more than 85 of the world's finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries in bustling cities and spectacular destinations around the world.  The Luxury Collection includes award-winning properties that continuously exceed guest expectations by offering unparalleled service, style and class while celebrating each hotel's distinctive heritage and unique character.  All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognised as being among the world's finest.

For more information, please visit www.luxurycollection.com.