This year’s AA Hotel of the Year England, Gravetye Manor Hotel & Restaurant, has appointed George Blogg as Head Chef.
Having worked at some of the most prestigious and respected restaurants in the world, George brings many years of experience to a role which will see him take charge of the kitchen set-up, introduce a new concept for Gravetye Manor’s menus, and revitalise the day-to-day running of Gravetye Manor’s restaurant.
George actually set out wanting to be a geologist but upon discovering his love for food and cooking he embarked on a professional cookery course. After being awarded his Professional Cookery qualification George then headed for the Capital where he worked with Philip Howard at Mayfair’s Michelin-starred The Square before moving west to where Jay Rayner had “one of the best meals of his life” at the two-starred Le Champignon Sauvage under David Everitt-Matthias and onwards to the New Forest’s Hotel TerraVina.
Throughout his career George has honed his skills by embarking on Stages in some of the most world’s most famous kitchens including the likes of The Ledbury in Notting Hill, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons in Oxfordshire and Noma in Copenhagen – places that echo his own enthusiasm for using locally sourced and foraged produce.
Meaning ‘a gap in the forest,’ Gravetye Manor’s striking sylvan surrounds and abundant, historic kitchen gardens provide the ideal setting for George to indulge his passion for using indigenous ingredients. When he takes the helm, his initial focus will be to devise new menu offerings; one will remain à la carte and feature unpretentious seasonal dishes using the best ingredients available, whilst a second all-day dining menu, comprising mouth-watering morsels centring on four elements – 1) Kitchen Garden 2) Foraged from the Land 3) Smokehouse 4) Local Suppliers – which can be best enjoyed throughout the grounds.
Speaking about the appointment George said “This is a once in a career opportunity that was a perfect match to realise my ambitions as a chef. Utilising the gardens, foraged produce, smokehouse techniques and sourcing the best ingredients through superb local suppliers are in line with my principles and will be my focus. I look forward to developing the restaurant offering further to provide one of the best dining experience that the south east has to offer.”
About Gravetye Manor & Restaurant
Set within 1000 acres of strolling Sussex parkland, Gravetye Manor is the quintessential English Country House with a history harking back to Elizabethan times. Its 35 acres of gardens carefully cultivated by William Robinson over fifty years are considered amongst the most influential in English gardening history. Flora and fauna is the theme within Gravetye Manor’s 17 bedrooms and suites too as each are named after tree species found on the estate with nods to the florals throughout the décor teamed with rich fabrics, fine antiques and hand crafted beds. Gravetye Manor & Restaurant is a member of Relais & Chateaux and Pride of Britain.
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