Brownsword Hotels has appointed Conor Toomey as head chef of Amberley Castle. Starting in his role on 6 March, South African born Conor takes up his new position following 10 years of experience working across the UK, including under Michael Wignall at the two Michelin starred Latymer at Pennyhill Park.
Commencing his career in Cape Town in 2002, Conor gained two years’ experience at the Aubergine Restaurant, before moving to Wicklow in Ireland to work at Rathsallagh House in 2004. Moving in 2006 to the acclaimed Latymer Restaurant at Pennyhill Park, Conor worked as sous chef to Michael Wignall for four years, before taking up his first head chef position at Coworth Park in 2012. Here he regained 3 rosettes in the year after they had been lost, before moving on most recently to head up the kitchen at Storrs Hall in Cumbria, where he gained 3 rosettes within a mere seven months of starting.
Michael Wignall, executive head chef at sister hotel Gidleigh Park, whom Conor names as his biggest influence, comments, “I’m delighted to welcome Conor to the Brownsword Hotels group and wish him every success at Amberley Castle. His classically influenced style, which delivers a grounding which Conor takes forward with modern techniques, produces outstanding dishes and excellent flavours. We look forward to tasting his new menu and seeing what he had his team create at Amberley Castle”.
Conor comments, “I’m very much looking forward to starting work with the team at Amberley Castle. With a brand new kitchen and new menus, I look forward to welcoming both new and returning diners. Both the hotel and restaurant have an excellent reputation and I look forward to growing this further”.
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