JASON ATHERTON
Jason Atherton is a renowned British chef and restaurateur with a remarkable journey from humble roots in Skegness to becoming one of the UK’s most influential culinary names. After gaining experience with chefs Marco Pierre White, Pierre Koffmann, and Ferran Adria at el Bulli, he joined Gordon Ramsay Holdings in 2001, ultimately becoming Executive Chef of his Michelin starred Maze restaurant.
In 2011, he launched his own venture, Pollen Street Social in Mayfair, winning a Michelin star, and quickly establishing ‘The Social Company’, his global dining group. Over the next two decades it had expanded to nearly 40 restaurants, across London, Dubai, Singapore, New York and more.
He has been featured on multiple TV programmes such as Great British Menu, hosted The Chef’s Brigade and is a regular guest on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen.
As one of Britain’s most acclaimed chefs, earning prestigious awards throughout his career that highlight his global culinary impact. His flagship London restaurant, Pollen Street Social, was awarded a Michelin star within its first year of opening in 2011 and held it until its closure in 2024.
More recently, his Dubai fine dining concept, Row on 45, achieved an extraordinary milestone by earning two Michelin stars just ten months after opening. Among his industry accolades, Atherton received the Chef Award at the Cateys in 2012, one of the UK hospitality sector’s highest honours, and was later named Restaurateur of the Year in both 2014 and 2017. He also earned Chef’s Chef of the Year at the AA Hospitality Awards in 2019 an accolade voted for by fellow top chefs alongside being crowned GQ’s Chef of the Year in 2013. These awards, spanning critical acclaim, industry recognition, and peer validation, mark Atherton as a leading force in modern gastronomy.
SAEL
Nestled in St James’s Market, Sael marks a new chapter for Jason Atherton, one that shifts away from traditional fine dining while still embracing the quality and creativity he’s known for. The name Sael an Old English word signifying season, time and occasion, sets the tone for what the restaurant aims to offer: a welcoming space that celebrates British heritage through seasonal food.
Led by Executive Chef Dale Bainbridge, formerly of Pollen Street Social, the menu at Sael focuses on seasonal British produce, cooked simply and beautifully. The dishes are designed to be flexible ranging from small sharing plates to more substantial mains allowing guests to curate their own dining experience, whether they’re after a quick weekday lunch or a full dinner out.
A selection of British meats and fish cooked over a wood‑fire grill and elevated British deserts complemented by an extensively curated wine list is what you can expect from Saels’ cuisine. The warm, brasserie style interior, mixed with the social atmosphere gives Sael a balance between intimacy and energy, a perfect dining spot.
Atherton has also made prices accessible, with a prix fixe menu starting from £25 making it luxury food that doesn’t feel exclusive.
St. Giles London & Sael
While Sael operates as a standalone restaurant, its partnership with St. Giles London creates an elevated experience for guests looking to combine comfort, cuisine, and convenience. The hotel’s partnership with Jason Atherton reflects a shared commitment to quality, bringing together world class accommodation with award-winning dining, all in the heart of the city.
As part of Saels offer with St. Giles London, indulge yourself in an exceptional seasonal Prix Fixe meal at Sael for a discounted price for 2 courses at £19.50 and 3 courses at £22.50. Additionally, receive a signed menu by the Michelin starred and multi award winning Jason Atherton to keep!
The Prix Fixe menu can be booked between 5-6pm. Simply email reservations@saellondon.com or call 44 (0)20 7993 3251 and quote that you are a guest at St. Giles London Hotel.
Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, celebrating a special occasion, or simply indulging in London’s finest, this exclusive offer delivers outstanding value and memorable experiences just steps away from theatres, cultural landmarks, and the capital’s top attractions.
Jason Atherton’s opening of Sael isn’t just the launch of another restaurant, it’s a reflection of an evolving culinary landscape and a personal reinvention. As he closes the chapter on several “Social” concepts, Sael represents a shift toward more fluid, guest-led dining without sacrificing luxury or flavour.
His partnership with St. Giles Hotel London reinforces this direction making fine food more accessible, more relaxed, and better integrated into the rhythms of modern city life. Whether you’re staying at St Giles London or simply exploring the best of what London has to offer, Sael invites you to experience British cuisine through a lens of quality, seasonality, and elegance.
