Chris Simpson joins Gidleigh Park as Executive Head Chef

Chris Simpson, formerly of the Michelin starred Restaurant Nathan Outlaw, has joined Gidleigh Park as it's new executive head chef.

• Why did Michael Wignall step down from his role as executive head chef of Gidleigh Park?

Chris, who has held the position of head chef at Restaurant Nathan Outlaw for seven years, will start in his new position on January 3, 2018, ahead of the reopening of Gidleigh Park on January 12 following its annual closure.

Chris Simpson said: “It’s a privilege to have been offered the opportunity to take up the reins at Gidleigh Park, somewhere I’ve admired since I very first started cooking. Moving with the support of Nathan, I’m excited to be heading up my own kitchen and am ready for this next challenge in my career. I’m also delighted to be staying in the south west, to be able to continue to work with all the great local produce and suppliers in our region, and I’m looking forward to working with the talented Gidleigh Park team."

I’m super proud of my friend and chef @chrissimpson80 taking the head chef job Gidleigh Park. 7 years as our head chef @resnathanoutlaw he has been a huge part of our success. We wish him all the best ????????‍????

A post shared by Nathan Outlaw (@nathanoutlaw) on Jan 3, 2018 at 2:40am PST

Stephanie Hocking, CEO Andrew Brownsword Hotels added: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce Chris’s appointment as executive head chef at Gidleigh Park. Having long been aware of Chris’s exceptional talent, we were very lucky to secure him as apart from his talent and experience, he shares our vision of serving the ‘very best of Devon’ to our guests at Gidleigh Park."

The announcement follows the departure of Michael Wignall on January 1, 2018, after almost two years at Gidleigh Park.