Josh Hughes leaves Hide and Fox to join Updown Farmhouse as executive chef
Josh Hughes, formerly head chef at two-Michelin-starred Hide and Fox, has joined Updown Farmhouse as its new executive chef.
The Staff Canteen can exclusively reveal that Josh, a Kent native who reached finals week of this year's Great British Menu, is taking up the role this month (September 2026).
At Updown, near Deal, he will work closely with chef proprietor Oli Brown and head chef Jake Norman, leading the kitchen team and championing the restaurant's Italian-leaning, hyper-seasonal menu.
Josh said: "I'm thrilled to have been appointed exec chef by Ruth and Oli.
"I've long been an admirer of Updown and I can't wait to join the kitchen and to continue building on Updown's amazing legacy and reputation, both in Kent and the UK."
@hideandfox get's it's second star - congrats 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/MLK5Y6VJc5
— The Staff Canteen (@CanteenTweets) February 10, 2025
Fifteen years in Kent kitchens
Josh has spent the last 15 years cooking across the county. After working at The Fordwich Arms, he moved to The Bridge Arms near Canterbury, where he led the team to a Michelin star in 2022.
He then joined Hide and Fox, in Saltwood, near Hythe, in 2023, taking charge of the pass at the modern European restaurant run by chef patron Allister Barsby.
The restaurant won its second Michelin star in February 2025, making it the only two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Kent.
His cooking is characterised by a love of ingredients and technique, and he was named a semi-finalist in National Chef of the Year in 2025.
Great British Menu success
Earlier this year, Josh represented London and the South East on Great British Menu, where chefs were asked to celebrate great British films set in the region.
His menu, built around the heritage of British filmmaking in the South East, won praise from the judges and saw him beat Dana Choi, Abbie Hendren and Vince Smith to a place in the national final.
About Updown Farmhouse
Updown Farmhouse is a restored 17th century farmhouse set in seven and a half acres at Betteshanger, just outside Deal. It was opened as a restaurant with rooms in July 2022 by Ruth Leigh, who runs front of house, and Oli, who previously cooked in Hong Kong and alongside Rowley Leigh.
The restaurant sits in a vine-covered conservatory, with an Italian-influenced menu that changes with the seasons and makes good use of an open fire. Signature dishes have included ossobuco and crab tagliolini.
Updown was added to the Michelin Guide in January 2024, around 18 months after opening, and remains in the 2026 Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland. The property also has seven bedrooms and Bar Vita.
Josh's move to Updown is the latest in a run of significant chef appointments this year.
You can find more in our rolling big chef moves 2026 round-up, and read more about Allister and Hide and Fox in our interview from the restaurant's two-star year.
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Josh Hughes leaves Hide and Fox to join Updown Farmhouse as executive chef
