Chris developed his skills while working at Raymond Blanc's two Michelin starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire before moving to The Crown at Whitebrook which had been overseen by James Sommerin for seven years prior to its closure in 2013.
The Whitebrook Restaurant with Rooms
The WhitebrookThe Whitebrook Restaurant with Rooms Monmouth, NP25 4TX
Having trained under high profile chef under Raymond Blanc at his two Michelin starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire, Chris is now chef patron of The Whitebrook Restaurant with Rooms which he took over after it was forced to close in 2013.
Chris Harrod
Originally from Worcestershire, Chris knew from a young age he wanted to be a chef after being inspired by seeing Raymond Blanc on TV. Little did Chris know at the time that Raymond would later become his mentor when he went to work for him at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire.
Prior to taking over the Crown, Chris was previously head chef at Colette's, the flagship fine dining restaurant at the five star hotel and golf resort The Grove, in Hertfordshire. Chris later moved from Amersham, Buckinghamshire to Monmouthshire, North Wales, where he took up the position of consultant chef at Lord Newborough's Rhug Estate Organic.
After taking over the Crown from James Sommerin when the restaurant went into administration, Chris renamed the restaurant, The Whitebrook Restaurant with Rooms. Under his leadership the restaurant has gone on to achieve a Michelin star less than a year after reopening, 4 rosettes from the AA Restaurant Guide and a spot at no. 49 in the Good Food Guide 2018.
Food style
Chris is a keen forager and says he takes a lot of inspiration from the Wye Valley. Chris and the team likes to source locally and use nearby businesses for the majority of their meat, vegetables and fruit. Speaking to The Staff Canteen, Chris said: “The Whitebrook, it’s putting the valley on the plate. If I was in a different location or a city then it’s unlikely the foraged ingredients would be part of my menu.”
After taking over from Michelin starred chef, James Sommerin, Chirs renamed The Crown, The Whitebrook Restaurant with Rooms. Being a smaller establishment Chris currently has a team of four in the kitchen who cater for about 32 covers. There are also eight large rooms with views across the Wye Valley.
Chris Harrod
“I had always wanted a small restaurant tucked away in the middle of the countryside. We also went on lots of family holidays and would take about four-to-five days driving to the south of France. We would turn up at auberges in the middle of nowhere and get an amazing menu and a room for the night, and I was like, yep that is why I want somewhere like this.” Chris told The Staff Canteen.
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