Foxhills Hotel and Resort in Surrey has appointed Alan O’Kane as executive head chef to oversee and upgrade its three restaurants and sizeable banqueting, conference and weddings business.
Most recently, 40-year-old O’Kane has been executive head chef at luxury Wynyard Hall in County Durham, where he saw the restaurant improve from one AA rosette standard to three over 18 months. Beginning his career as a commis chef under the legendary Anton Edelmann at London’s Savoy Hotel, O’Kane worked at several Michelin-starred establishments before becoming head chef at The General Tarleton near Harrogate. He then bought and transformed his own hotel and award-winning eaterie The Angel at Corbridge in Northumberland.
He has always been keen to encourage new talent, and three young chefs have already come through his brigades to compete in TV’s Master Chef series.
In his new role at Foxhills he aims to improve the quality and local provenance of the food and – following feedback from guests and members – is keen to introduce lighter and healthier options for families. The kitchen in the principal Manor Restaurant has just benefited from a £500,000 refurbishment, and a further £90,000 has been spent on a stylish makeover of Nineteen Brasserie, the more casual dining option. O’Kane intends to introduce sous chefs to run both Nineteen and the family diner Summerhouse, while other plans include the creation of a herb garden and greater use of a new smokehouse.
Gleneagles of the South
O’Kane’s appointment comes in a year which has so far seen a £1million-plus investment from owner Marc Hayton in the four-star, 70-room property near Woking which, with its world-class sports and leisure facilities, is aiming to establish itself as the ‘Gleneagles of the south’.
His appointment comes less than a year after Jason Adams was made general manager at Foxhills after spells at The Arden, Stratford-upon-Avon; The Atlantic, Jersey; and Seaham Hall, Co. Durham. He has declared his intention of turning the 400-acre, four-star resort near Woking, into ‘the Gleneagles of the south’.
Foxhills’ amenities include three golf courses (two championship standard), 11 tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, spa and health club, gym, and children’s clubhouse.
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