Bromley’s The Royal Bell has excitedly announced the appointment of Michael McDaid as its new executive head chef, bringing with him 24 years of culinary experience and a passion for honest, ingredient-led cooking rooted in the Great British larder. Award winning celebrity chef Aldo Zilli has also joined the team as the chef for The Royal Bell’s upcoming ‘Aldo’s Pizza’ and ‘Zilli Caffé’, further cementing the venue’s reputation as Bromley’s most exciting culinary destination.

Michael’s journey in hospitality began at the age of 15, when his father marched him into the local Beefeater to start work. Beginning as a glass collector, he quickly found his home in the kitchen and never looked back. Since then, Michael has cooked in some of the most respected and formative kitchens in the industry, including Seabird at The Hoxton, Galvin at Windows, Maze, BAFTA, The Spotted Pig, New York, The Princess Royal and most notably, St. John, which he describes as the place that shaped him both as a chef and a person.

Michael McDaid

“What drew me to the industry then is still what drives me now,” says Michael. “The buzz of the kitchen, the anticipation of service, the way it brings people from all walks of life together – it’s like a world of its own and I love that.”

Michael joins The Royal Bell at a pivotal moment in its storied history, working alongside a passionate team determined to restore the building’s iconic status.

“I wanted to be part of The Royal Bell because of the people behind its revival. Spend just an hour with them and you can see it in their faces, hear it in their voices – what this place means. It’s rare to find that level of genuine care and I want to bring everything I’ve learned over the past 24 years to help make The Royal Bell the place to be.”

@adashandasplashx

Michael’s food philosophy champions seasonality, simplicity and celebration of British produce.

“We’re so lucky in the UK to have access to world-class ingredients year-round. I want to bring that to the table – A New Era of Dining Dawns in Bromley with Culinary Powerhouses at the Helm food that’s humble but done to the highest standard. Think classic flavours, great produce, nothing showy, just honest food, done properly. And with British weather often giving us all four seasons in one day, why not have a menu that celebrates them all?”

Aldo Zilli

Adding even more star power to The Royal Bell’s kitchen brigade, the venue is also thrilled to announce that Chef Aldo Zilli, renowned for his Italian cuisine and vibrant personality, will oversee ‘Aldo’s Pizza’ and ‘Zilli Caffé’.

With decades of experience and a relentless passion for authentic Italian flavour, Zilli’s involvement brings bold, high energy vibes to the scene with seriously fresh and expertly handcrafted pizza slices with real taste. These two powerhouse appointments mark a bold new chapter for The Royal Bell as it reclaims its place as a culinary and cultural landmark in the heart of Bromley.

Limited membership applications are now open at theroyalbell.co.uk

The Royal Bell’s Instagram