Spotlight on Tomahawk Steakhouse

Published on Nov 16, 2021

This month we were thrilled to catch up with Sam Cornwell, manager of Tomahawk Steakhouse in Old Street. She was delighted to chat to us and tell us about all things Tomahawk!

What’s your role at Tomahawk Steakhouse and how did you come to be part of the team?

I am the venue General Manager, this is their first Tomahawk in the South of England & they were looking for someone who had experience in the London dining scene especially in steak-oriented outlets to help bring their successful brand to our city. As I have had 10yrs experience working with Hawksmoor, this seemed an ideal new challenge.

How would you describe Tomahawk Steakhouse to someone who hasn’t been before?

A hidden gem! Amazing steaks, the freshest seafood, incredible value. 

What makes Tomahawk Steakhouse different?

I think it’s the way we have combined a mix of the classic dishes that are loved in the North such as the incredible Chicken Parmo with other dishes designed to reflect the ever-changing London food scene. We are also getting involved with some small London charities such as the Redbridge Lakes Conservation Trust. We use their amazing honey in some of our dishes, which is produced by their hives by their lakes. We hope to add some more of these kind of items & suppliers onto the menus where we can.

Can you tell us a little bit about your team and the atmosphere in the restaurant?

We have a small team here, most of our recruitment has been through word-of-mouth so we have lots of “friends of friends” which makes for a great working environment, which is then reflected in the atmosphere.

What do you love about the area? How would you recommend someone spends a weekend in Shoreditch/the Old Street area?

One of the great things about this area is that it’s never dull! There’s always something going on. Anyone visiting here can easily do so with no knowledge of the area at all, you can just wander around browsing all the independent shops, bars, cafes & have a great time.

What’s your favourite local hidden gem?

There are a number of excellent traditional-style pubs in the area which are unfortunately slowly disappearing in many other parts of the city, so check those out while you can. I also love Saint Lukes Gardens as a nice place to just sit & watch the world go by

The pandemic has undoubtedly had a huge impact on businesses in our area. How did you navigate it? How does the way you operate now differ to how you operated before the pandemic?

As for many of us, navigating the rapidly changing COVID guidances was certainly a challenge, however, our support team was excellent in sending out simplified briefing sheets so everyone knew what should/shouldn’t be done. We have always had excellent levels of hygiene standards here & carried out regular training & briefing sessions during the pandemic which we still continue to use now.

What advice would you give to businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, during these uncertain times?

Support your team, keep your guests safe, hang on in there if you can, better days are coming.

Have you felt supported by the Old Street District community? By the Old Street District Partnership?

We are quite new to the area but everyone we have interacted with so far has been lovely.

Describe Tomahawk Steakhouse in 3 words..

Get.In.Here