Suggestions on how to locate hotel staff in 1960s London

[floxxie]

Does anybody have any suggestions on where to find the names of kitchen staff who would have been working at the Kensington Palace Hotel, De Vere Street, Kensington, London in 1964/6, please? I am particularly interested in the chefs.

[mckha489]

Newspapers. For example

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/b5e73f53-cb60-46a9-8d71-de4be26a4c70


https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/2ddec3e8-40b0-48c2-ab10-147929ece411

[AntonyMMM]

Possibly electoral rolls ( staff may have "lived in"), but given the transitory nature of hotel work, and that many may not have qualified to be on the roll ( too young, or non UK), I think you will be very lucky to find much.

I was a police officer in that area in the 1980s and knew the Kensington Palace Hotel very well - it stood on the corner of De Vere Gardens and Kensington High St. Now gone sadly.

[floxxie]

Thank you both.

Would there be any Facebook groups or forums where people are likely to post about living/working in the area?

[rocala]

Floxxie, I very much doubt if there is a direct route to the info you seek. My advice is to broaden your search and trust to luck.

Some years ago I asked for photographs of a pub that my parents used to manage. Long after, a former barman there got in touch. He had known my parents well and gave me all sorts of info.
Good luck with your search.

[coombs]

I think it can be quite difficult getting employee records for the 1960s online, without a visit to the hotel. The hotel may have them so you could make inquiries, but as to whether they will let you look at them is another thing.

[SMJ]

Several of the older industry magazines (Hotel & Caterer etc.) published new (senior) staff appointments & news. A search of the British Library brings up several catering journals covering the 1960s.