Overview of the Business

The Ford McDonald Consultancy offers a raft of expert services spanning all facets of the food industry, from hospitality to food retail. We have the know-how to address specific operational, managerial or creative requirements and to develop projects from concept to completion, delivering a 'turnkey' solution.

Ultimately, a fine-tuned menu or range is at the core of any successful culinary or food shopping experience, so this is our natural starting point. We use our expansive knowledge and experience of the food world and scrutinize new trends to ensure your offer is perfectly positioned. Beyond that, successful businesses need a solid platform across the whole customer experience. This is where our diversity provides intuitive, comprehensive and sound advice, based on experience as innovative and profitable operators in our own right.

Whether creating a new business from start-up or reinvigorating an existing operation, our independent position and fresh perspective brings clarity and dynamism to any project.

Ford McDonald has worked with many very prestigious clients in retail including La Rinascente in Italy, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and Liberty in London, Lane Crawford in Hong Kong and Tsvetnoy Central Market in Moscow. Hotel clients include, The Four Seasons, The Savoy Hotel, Park Plaza Hotels, RF Hotels and Jumeirah Hotel Group.

Key Contacts

Name: Dominic Ford Position: Joint Managing Director Background: Dominic started his Food and Beverage career twenty six years ago in the London Wine Trade. After working in the USA for a short period he returned to London to work at L’Escargot and Hilaire Restaurants in Management positions before heading to the Far East. In Hong Kong Dominic held the position of Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at the award winning Mandarin Oriental Hotel and was jointly responsible for fourteen restaurant operations and 500 staff. It was in Hong Kong in 1991 that Dickson Poon, Chairman of Dickson Concepts International, approached Dominic to become the Restaurants and Food Retail Director of his newly-acquired Harvey Nichols and Company Limited.

Name: Patrick McDonald Position: Joint Managing Director Background: Pat’s cooking style has been described as "classic foundation, modern, eclectic and simple". His career began in Northumberland before working at London’s Grosvenor House and The Dorchester under Anton Mosimann. Following a number of successful Executive Chef roles he opened his first restaurant with his wife Claire in 1990,The Epicurean in the Cotswolds, achieving a Michelin star two years later. Pat went on to own and operate Epic Bar and Brasseries, Paris – a fine dining restaurant in Birmingham and FINO delicatessen. He also presented his own television series ‘If You Can’t Stand The Heat’.

Testimonials

“Ford McDonald provided invaluable insight and advice during the planning, development, and launch of our landmark London properties, ensuring that all F&B areas operate to the highest standards of functionality and guest comfort”
Boris Ivesha, Chairman- Park Plaza Hotel Group