The Team

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AT THE OAK
If you are interested in joining the team at The Oak click here to find out what positions we are recruiting for now.

Nick Parkinson
Owner

Nick started his career in the catering industry at the age of 12, working as bottle boy at a local pub in Bray. With his heart set he went on to join the Savoy Hotel as an apprentice chef.  After qualifying he worked in Paris and Italy before leaving for Australia in 1988.  He worked his way up the hotel hierarchy to become Food and Beverage Director for Holiday Inn/Intercontinental Hotels, covering all of Australasia.

Nick returned to England in 2001 to pursue his lifelong ambition of running his own business.  He opened The Royal Oak Paley Street in July 2001. Nick brought the much talked about music nights to the village and The Manchester United legends dinner.  In 2008 the Oak gained a Bib Gourmand and in 2010 the accliamed Michelin Star; 3 AA Rosettes soon followed and a 6/10 rating in The Waitrose Good Food Guide.  Some say Nick put Paley Street on the map.

Nick is also a Director of Ned Pubs who manage The Belgian Arms in Holyport.
 

Richard Martinez
Restaurant Manager

Richard Martinez grew up in Cannes in the South of France where he gained his catering qualifications.  He moved to London in 1993 to join Michelin starred restaurant L’escargot where he quickly made his way up the ranks. Eighteen months later he joined Michelin starred restaurant The Canteen in Chelsea harbour, which was owned by Sir Michael Caine and A-Z restaurateur Claudio Pulze.  Richard continued to work for Claudio Pulze for the next twelve years, he became an important figure within the company opening and running many of Cuisine Collection’s restaurants including Al Duca, Cantina Vinopolis, Michelin starred Zaika, and later becoming a partner in Via Condotti.  In 2008 Richard managed the opening of Terroirs in central London. In 2009 after the birth of his son and having moved to Berkshire with his wife 3 years earlier Richard joined the team at The Royal Oak.

Richard brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry, customer service and sommerlier skills.

Michael Chapman
Head Chef
 

Michael realised his passion for cooking in his mid twenties after a background in Mechanical Engineering.  Exchanging engine grease for cooking oils, he and his wife to be, arrived in the UK from South Africa in 2000.   Following his dream he ran a small country house hotel in the home counties where he achieved AA recognition. His passion for excellence in food took him to train in Michelin star restaurants in London, including Petrus (Marcus Wareing) and Lindsay House (Richard Corrigan).

In 2009, Michael joined the team at The Royal Oak Paley Street. The ethos of traditional classical cooking with good quality local produce is the reason he stayed.  He soon established himself and worked his way through the ranks, becoming Head Chef in September 2012.  Eighteen months later, when the then Head Chef resigned, Michael was his natural successor and took up the reins to lead the team in the kitchen.  

In 2014 Michael was recognised in his own right when The Royal Oak retained the Michelin star, 3 AA Rosettes a 6/10 rating in The Good Food Guide and won 4th place in The Good Food Guide Top 50 Pubs.

Michael’s food is designed not to be pretentious, but rather to embrace the flavours of the produce and not disguise them with unfamiliar ingredients and complicated cooking methods. He sources seasonal produce locally whenever he can, but is not afraid to go further afield to attain the best quality.