In a year that has seen several well-known independent city centre restaurants fold, The Boot Room has defied the downturn and continues to exceeded all expectations.

The venue in Millstone Lane, Leicester, was opened little more than a year ago following the ambitious conversion of a disused shoe factory by chef patron Stephen Fitzpatrick. Since then he has cemented the Boot Room's reputation by bringing in a string of key hires to establish the restaurant as a firm favourite. They include new head chef John-Paul Glassford and new general manager Ian Hill.

John-Paul Glassford was born in Leicester but has spent time traveling the world, including a lengthy stint in Australia, learning other styles of cooking. He has an impeccable pedigree having worked at the Belmont House Hotel, before moving to the award-winning Horse and Trumpet restaurant in Medbourne. He then opted to work at Michelin-favourite The Joiners' Arms in Bruntighthorpe, before being offered his maiden heads chef position at The Boot Room.

Ian Hill is also Leicester born and bred. After graduating from Sheffileld Hallam University with a hospitality and catering degree, he also traveled extensively overseas clocking up lengthy stints in both the US and Australia, where he picked up a lot of know how, new concepts and ideas. Ian returned to Leicester, worked at the Belmont House Hotel, spent four years as a manager with Las Iguanas, before taking over as The Boot Room's general manager.

Chef patron Stephen Fitzpatrick says: "We've had a superb year at The Boot Room, exceeded all expectations and managed to completely debunk the myth there's no decent independent city centre restaurants left in Leicester. Our success is a team effort and is down, in no small measure, to the innovative vision and determination of both John-Paul and Ian to continually strive to provide something out of the ordinary.

"They always use local suppliers wherever possible, both have Leicester in their hearts and want to succeed in their home town."

He said Christmas was expected to be extremely busy, but said Boot Room staff always saw a big jump in demand from Tigers' fans looking for a decent meal before and after games on match days.