Michael Wignall confirmed as Gidleigh Park’s new Executive Head Chef

The Staff Canteen
Michael Wignall is today confirmed as Gidleigh Park’s new Executive Head Chef. Joining from The Latymer at Pennyhill Park, an Exclusive Hotel & Spa, Michael will commence his role with Brownsword Hotels on January, 4 2016 in a position that will see him not only lead the kitchen at Gidleigh Park, but also consult across the food and beverage offering for ABode Hotels. Michael WignallDescribing his own food as ‘complex, carefully crafted and very technical but not intimidating’, Michael has amassed an impressive list of awards and accolades during his career, including two Michelin stars and five AA Rosettes at The Latymer. Michael said: “Gidleigh Park enjoys an enviable record of excellence and I’m very much looking forward to joining the team and working together. It’s with sadness that I leave the talented team at The Latymer, but I go with an enormous sense of pride from everything we’ve achieved together”.

>>>Read: Michael Wignall, The Latymer at Pennyhill Park Hotel

Andrew Brownsword added: “We’ve taken our time to find the very best successor to Michael Caines, someone we are confident can build on the solid foundations and great reputation that the iconic Gidleigh Park enjoys. We’re excited about the future and are delighted that Michael is to join us, having long admired his outstanding talent at The Latymer and before then at The Devonshire Arms and look forward to a successful partnership ahead”. Danny Pecorelli, Managing Director of Exclusive Hotels and Venues said: “We are incredibly proud of everything that Michael has achieved during his time with us. He is a hugely talented chef and his natural flair in the kitchen, expertise and passion for food has led to The Latymer becoming one of the best restaurants in the UK and a true destination restaurant. I have absolutely no doubt that he will continue to do great things at Gidleigh Park”. The announcement follows confirmation that Michael Caines MBE will leave Gidleigh Park on January 3, following 21 years at Gidleigh Park, to pursue new ventures of his own. The first opportunity to taste Michael's new menus will be on January 15 when Gidleigh Park re-opens after its annual closure.
In these challenging times…

The Staff Canteen team are taking a different approach to keeping our website independent and delivering content free from commercial influence. Our Editorial team have a critical role to play in informing and supporting our audience in a balanced way. We would never put up a paywall  – The Staff Canteen is open to all and we want to keep bringing you the content you want; more from younger chefs, more on mental health, more tips and industry knowledge, more recipes and more videos. We need your support right now, more than ever, to keep The Staff Canteen active. Without your financial contributions this would not be possible.

Over the last 16 years, The Staff Canteen has built what has become the go-to platform for chefs and hospitality professionals. As members and visitors, your daily support has made The Staff Canteen what it is today. Our features and videos from the world’s biggest name chefs are something we are proud of. We have over 560,000 followers across Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and other social channels, each connecting with chefs across the world. Our editorial and social media team are creating and delivering engaging content every day, to support you and the whole sector - we want to do more for you.

A single coffee is more than £2, a beer is £4.50 and a large glass of wine can be £6 or more.

Support The Staff Canteen from as little as £1 today. Thank you.

The Staff Canteen

The Staff Canteen

Editor 15th October 2015

Michael Wignall confirmed as Gidleigh Park’s new Executive Head Chef