In the Press
Chef’s Table: Sally Abé talks empowering women in the kitchen, mental health and her comfort favourites
“Chef Sally Abé wears many hats. She is the head chef over at The Pem, the fine dining restaurant nestled within Conrad St James in Westminster. She is an author, having released her debut book A Woman’s Place is in the Kitchenearlier this year, which details the many struggles she — and most women in the culinary industry — have faced over the years.”
In the Press
19 best Thanksgiving dinners in London for 2024
“The Pem’s best of British Thanksgiving menu comes in at £105 a head for five courses featuring a selection of classic ideas executed with elegance and finesse. Sally Abe’s, luxurious menu kicks off with a selection of canapes and sweetcorn and clam chowder with dressed white crab with Exmoor caviar.”
In the Press
5 Top Spots To Eat And Drink In London: October 2024
“With a dedication to making the most of seasonal ingredients, and flawless service, The Pem is quite seriously one of the most exciting fine dining experiences in London.”
In the Press
Where to go for a Christmas Party With Friends
“One of the most gorgeous Christmas party venues in London, The Pem is known for its exceptional dining experiences and atmospheric red and pink interiors – the perfect combination for a Christmas party to remember. Book The Harben Room to kick off the festive season – an elegant, discreet and intimate space seating up to 20 guests – and indulge in a fully bespoke menu to celebrate with your loved ones.”
In the Press
Women of Brummell: Confidence is key
“The menu is very collaborative between myself, my head chef Jenny and my sous chef Taran. So again, it’s always about involving other people in these decisions so that everybody feels like they’ve got ownership of the menu. We’ll sit down and we’ll have a chat about new menu ideas; what’s coming into season, things that we’ve seen and we want to try, or flavour combinations that we’ve had ideas for. Then we work out the menu together. Some things work, some things don’t work – we just figure it out..
In the Press
The culture list: what to experience and enjoy in August
“The lively yet luxurious restaurant has been curated by the highly praised chef Sally Abé, who retained The Harwood Arms’ Michelin star when she fronted the kitchens there between 2017 and 2021. Abé’s cooking style is fuelled by nostalgia and focused on flavour that brings a modern twist to old-school classics. Highlights from the six-course tasting menu include the tomato consommé adorned with sourdough crisp for some extra crunch, and the crispy veal sweetbread – which pairs perfectly with a glass of Melon a Quque Rouge. You’ll leave feeling pleasantly full while simultaneously desperately hungry for more.”
In the Press
Chefs share what it’s really like to work in restaurants — and there’s plenty of drama.
“Sally Abé, who leads the chef team at The Pem, a modern British restaurant in Westminster, London, is also a big fan of the show, and found herself comparing the main characters to former colleagues while watching.
‘The storytelling and character development is great and, interestingly, I’ve worked with people very similar to all of the main characters throughout my career, so I can definitely relate.
‘And while it’s an accurate depiction of kitchen life in terms of the stress and pressure, I’m happy to say that my kitchen at The Pem isn’t like the one in The Bear,’ she adds.”
In the Press
Six Chefs Share Their Favourite Summer Suppers
“My go-to summer supper is a simple English garden summer salad. Salads don’t have to be boring, and this one is packed with asparagus, broad beans, peas and radishes. I like to top it with hazelnuts and crispy shallots to add texture, then finish it with soft-boiled quail eggs and a homemade take on a classic salad cream recipe. It’s perfect for the warm weather, and goes so well with a glass of very cold rosé champagne – and some sourdough that has been brushed heavily with garlic butter and toasted on the barbecue.
In the Press
Festive season at The Pem
‘Nestled amongst London’s greatest landmarks in the heart of Westminster, award-winning Sally Abé is back at it again with The Pem’s luxury Christmas and New Year menus, and they are not ones to miss. Using only the best of seasonal, British produce, the restaurant will be open on Christmas Day for lunch, and on New Year’s Eve for a celebratory dinner, with spectacular one-off set menus for each.’
In the Press
“You’re going to be blown away”: Sally Abé’s The Pem reopens this month
‘The Pem is set to reopen this month following a three-month refurbishment, with a promise of exceptional dining experiences.’
In the Press
The Pem is where Sally’s impact on the English capital’s upmarket restaurant scene has reached even greater heights.
As one of the UK’s most celebrated and awarded young chefs, Sally Abé’s impact on the London fine dining restaurant scene is perhaps unmatched. She was identified as ‘Chef to Watch’ in the National Restaurant Awards 2019 and was nominated for the GQ Chef of the Year 2021. Recently, Sally was included in CODE’s 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality 2022.
In the Press
The Pem, London: some of the best food in town
‘Dark, atmospheric, intimate, with red velvet booths, mirrors, dark wood and an extensive system of underground tunnels so that uniformed cast members can pop up out of nowhere and make your empty plate disappear without interrupting the magic…’
Tim Hayward
MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View
‘Set in the elegant surroundings of the Conrad London St. James Hotel, Pem is named after suffragette Emily Wilding Davison. Chef Sally Abé’s experience shines through in dishes that are British in inspiration, contemporary in style and accomplished in technique.’
United Kingdom
Sally Abé’s glamorous restaurant sees her elevate classic dishes in her own signature way
‘Nestled within the hyper-smart Conrad London St. James, the menu here is all about taking classic flavor combinations and then refining them to create sophisticated yet familiar dishes.’
Former The Harwood Arms chef Sally Abé is leading the new Westminster-based restaurant
‘The Pem is no shrinking violet. “For me, going out for dinner is about having fun,” says Abé. We couldn’t agree more.’
Winner of ‘One to Watch 2021’
