Karl Martin is leaving Old Downton Lodge after five years

Ludlow's Old Downton Lodge is searching for a new head chef to take over as Karl Martin is set to leave later this year.

In an interview with The Staff Canteen, the chef said that it had been an incredible journey since he joined the restaurant in 2014, but that he was ready for a new challenge.

"I've come to a point where it's maybe time for the next step."

The chef said that taking the decision to leave the Shropshire restaurant, which received four AA-rosettes earlier this year, has been the hardest in his life.

"This place is a fantastic place, I absolutely love it."

"Watching it grow from quite a small base to four rosettes in the space of five years has been incredible. I'm very proud of the whole thing, past and present - what we've achieved

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and how we've all got there."

The chef's last day is set on October 12th, giving ample time to visit for a last meal before he departs.

He said he has no concrete plans for what to do next, but that he is "open to offers."

"I'll just have to play it by ear," he said.

As to whether they'll be replacing him internally or externally, he said: "that's still a decision that's pending at the moment - we are looking at people, we're going to try and keep it to potentially someone that I know and trust and would want to take over this place, because like I said it is my love."

"I'd love someone to come in with the same philosophy and the same ethos as myself, so I'll be very hands on in the recruiting of the next chef to come in."