Helen Howe- General Manager
Helen has worked in hospitality from a young age and brings warmth, attentiveness, and expertise to every Lumière experience. After training as a Biomedical Scientist and working with the NHS for 10 years, she and Jon saw Lumière as the perfect opportunity to bring their shared vision to life.
Her style of service makes every guest feel welcomed as if entering her own home. With deep knowledge and passion for food and wine, Helen guides guests through the tasting experience with effortless grace and care.
What does great hospitality mean to you, beyond service?
It’s about how people feel. Anticipating what someone needs before they ask, creating an atmosphere where everything feels easy and considered without ever feeling forced.
What do you notice first when a guest walks through the door?
Their energy. Whether they’re celebrating, curious, slightly unsure…you can read a lot in that first moment, and it helps shape how you look after them.
How do you create a sense of ease in a Michelin-starred environment?
By removing anything that feels intimidating. The standard is high, but the feeling should be relaxed, warm and welcoming - never overly formal.
What detail do guests often not notice, but you think matters most?
The flow of the room. How everything moves - the pacing, the timing, the small adjustments. When it’s right, you don’t notice it at all.
What do you want people to remember about their time at Lumière?
How it made them feel. The food is important, of course, but it’s the overall experience. The warmth, the atmosphere, that’s what people carry with them.