Big Table Group, the operator of Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, has appointed David Rust to the newly created role of Director of Food & Beverage.
David has over thirty years’ experience in the hospitality industry, working with brands across Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure. He joins from Brewhouse and Kitchen, where he was Head of Food, and previously filled the same position at Whitbread for more than ten years.
The new role, which will be responsible for continuing to improve the quality of food and drink at all Big Table’s brands, will oversee menu planning and development across Las Iguanas, Bella Italia and Café Rouge, and marks the first time that food development teams from the three brands will all report to the same person.
Andy Carlill, Chief Marketing Officer, shared, “The quality of our food and drink remains the single most important factor for consumers, so we’re always looking at ways we can improve. We’ve already made great strides in updating and refreshing our menus, and I’m confident that under David’s leadership, our F&B offering will continue to go from strength to strength.”
David added, “This is a really exciting role, with iconic brands, and fantastic, award-winning chefs. I’m looking forward to working with our food development teams to share expertise, encourage innovation, and continue to drive quality across the Big Table Group.”
The Big Table Group’s brands have recently announced new menus to meet evolving consumer demand, with Bella Italia’s seasonal menu featuring more vegan and vegetarian dishes than ever before, and Café Rouge rolling out a revamped offering following the successful trial of two ‘Rouge’ concept restaurants, in Haywards Heath and Birmingham.
Las Iguanas’ hugely popular #Hotlist features a regularly-changing selection of limited edition food & cocktails, and last year included the Birra Quesedilla, which was created by Glenn Evans, Head of Food Development at Las Iguanas, and crowned the winner of the Street Food Dish of the Year at the 2021 Street Food Championships.