Robin Leigh
Robin Leigh the founder is a restaurateur with a proven track record for success, follows four key principles; excellence, professionalism, creativity and dedication in order to create a flawless hospitality experience.
Robin was responsible for the opening of the first NOBU in Tribeca, New York in the mid 1990’s and, subsequently, was responsible for managing and taking NOBU to London, Paris and Milan.
Following his 5-year stint with Nobu, Robin founded and was instrumental in creating the Japanese restaurant BondSt in New York City, which appeared in Sex & The City.
BondSt was the first sushi brand to launch in the western world after Nobu and still stands after more than twenty years. Recognising the importance of extremely talented chefs in the hospitality industry, Robin noticed extraordinary talent in a chef named Geoffrey Zakarian. The now Iron Chef, accredited with a 3* NY Times rating and the second most popular presenter on TV Food Network, launched the fine dining brand Town with Robin in New York which had been credited with best new restaurant in 2002. Town was created to become the benchmark for modern American restaurants.
Succeeding Town, Robin travelled the Far East where he found Ian Chalermkittichai. Having recognised raw talent in the Executive Chef of the Four Seasons Bangkok, Robin took Ian to New York to transform his career with the launch of the extremely successful Thai restaurant Kittichai at 60 Thompson Street. Kittichai received critical acclaim as the best Thai restaurant in the United States in 2005, which helped Robin create an outstanding reputation in the fine dining industry.
Ian is now recognised as an Iron Chef in Thailand and has launched a number of his own brands. As Lead Judge of MasterChef Thailand, which has followed in the global MasterChef television tradition to become a must-watch program, Chef Ian hosts the highest rated TV show in Thailand with an audience of 6 million.
Fast-forward to 2016, ICHIBUNS Robin’s latest creation transformed the fast casual
food industry. ICHIBUNS is a Japanese super-diner introducing variations of
Tokyo’s food scene. ICHIBUNS follows the principles of providing the best quality produce at affordable prices, alongside an unmissable restaurant experience.
Catering to every taste, whether it is for high-end indulgence or food-to-go, ICHIBUNS offers the perfect option for a quick lunchtime, casual dinner or
extended late night session with live DJs at the weekend in the downstairs ICHIBAR.
Robin appointed Noriyoshi Muramatsu and his company, Studio Glitt, to design the restaurant. Studio Glitt, based in Tokyo, are the architects behind the high end Japanese brand ZUMA, CLAP in Dubai and SHOTU in Washington. Their success stems
from Nori’s history with the world famous Japanese architectural firm, Super Potato. ICHIBUNS won the 2018 Restaurant and Bar Design Awards.
Continuing to demonstrate his ability to spot big talent, Robin created and founded
a small but prestigious sushi restaurant in London, Endo at the Rotunda. Designed by Kengo Kuma and branded by Pentagram and opened in 2019.
Chef Kazutoshi Endo, whom Robin discovered fifteen years ago, was already highly visible, notably as former Executive Chef of Zuma Group and through a very
successful pop-up orchestrated by Robin Leigh at the Berkeley Hotel. Robins’ creative participation, with his extensive knowledge of Japanese cuisine and the hospitality industry, was instrumental in gaining a Michelin star for Endo at the Rotunda within three months of opening.
Robin together with the iconic Public Relation’s leader Mathew Freud achieved the best review that Giles Corren of the English Times ever gave a restaurant in 20 years.
Contact Robin on:robinsleigh@ichibuns.co.uk
CHEF SAITO
齋藤大吉
Japanese Wagyu Beef Master
Spanish Tapas Championship Silver Medalist
YouTuber 20000 Subscribers
Japanese Cuisine Educator
Over thirty years of experience
From 2002 up to date in EU/UK
Opening & Managing New Restaurants
Shabu Shabu Restaurant @Berlin
Sushi Restaurant @Portugal
Sushi Des Artistes Golden Mile @Marbella Spain
2007 Ramen Shop @Puerto Banus Marbella
Sushi Des Artistes @London 2012
Tokyo Sukiyakitei Chelsea @London 2015
Shinatoraya @Madrid 2017
Yakiniku Bar @Madrid2019
Dojima Sake Brewery @Cambrige
Up to 2002 in Japan
Chef • Hospitality Management • Barman
Yakitori Bar • Japanese Soba Noodle Shop
American Pizza Shop • Sushi Restaurant
Izakaya Restaurant • Bartender • Italian Restaurant
• Best Barman 2002 Irish Pub In Tokyo
SITE ACQUISITION SPECIALIST
JEREMY SIMMONS has been involved in the world of property for forty-two years with the last thirty-two years specialising in the restaurant and leisure arena. With the establishment of Berkeley Simmons Davis in 1990, Jeremy spent the next eighteen years advising leisure property groups.
Working with many of the most well-known restaurant brands and chefs, together with a substantial number of UK landlords & developers, he created and expanded Berkeley Simmons Davis to become one of the top three most well-known leisure property specialist consultancies in the UK.
Under Jeremy’s direction, the company was ultimately sold to a fully listed UK Public Company in 2004. Jeremy has been involved in the world of property for forty-two years with the last thirty-two years specialising in the restaurant and leisure arena.
With the establishment of Berkeley Simmons Davis in 1990, Jeremy spent the next eighteen years advising leisure property groups. Working with many of the most
well-known restaurant brands and chefs, together with a substantial number of UK landlords & developers, he created and expanded Berkeley Simmons Davis to become one of the top three most well-known leisure property specialist consultancies in the UK. Under Jeremy’s direction, the company was ultimately sold to a fully listed UK Public Company in 2004.
Following on from this success, two years later, Jeremy sold his operating team to the world’s largest commercial property consultants CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) and then assumed the position of Head of Leisure for CBRE with responsibility for Europe, the Middle East & Africa (EMEA).
After a fixed period of two years with CBRE, in 2009, Jeremy created the firm of Berkeley Simmons Leisure (BSL) as an international leisure consultancy. Jeremy continues to advise on restaurant, hotel and all leisure property transactions, together with the creation of franchise/license brands and partnerships for a large number of well-known global restaurant brands and chefs. Jeremy heads a fast-growing team that advises clients all over the world with offices in London and Dubai.
Between BSD & BSL, they have been involved in a number of developments
including The Shard London, Hotel Development in Marylebone, Hotel Development in Soho, The Palm in Dubai, The Address Downtown Dubai, Ritz Carlton JBR & DIFC Dubai, Place Vendome Doha, Four Seasons Doha, Marsa Malaz St Regis Doha, Marsa Arabia St Regis Doha, Conrad Istanbul, Swissotel Istanbul, Hitteen in Riyadh, Genting Highlands in Malaysia, hotels in Singapore, The Strip in Vegas, The Waterfront in Miami and historically all over the UK including Westfield London, Canary Wharf, Birmingham Mailbox, Brindleyplace Birmingham, Grand Central Birmingham, Bullring Birmingham, Canary Riverside London, Butlers Wharf London, Brunswick Square London, Printworks Manchester, Jubilee Street Brighton, Brighton Marina, Wembley, The O2 London,
Bankside London, Central St Giles London, Centre Point London, The Light Leeds, The Oracle Reading & others.
Jeremy also has equitable interests/partnerships in other international restaurant concepts.
Contact Jeremy on:
jeremysimmons@ichibuns.co.uk
jeremy@bsleisure.com
Jeremy Simmons LinkedIn
Mobile: +44 7831 667 660
Liberty House, 222 Regent Street, London W1B 5TR