Matt Edmonds | The Gherkin | The Grantley Arms

Matt Edmonds, who is currently head chef at Searcys, The Gherkin, has announced he will be leaving to pursue his first solo venture.

Having been in London for nine years he felt it was time to head back to the countryside and with backers he will be taking over Grade II listed building, The Grantley Arms in Wonersh, Surrey. Matt boasts an impressive CV, working for numerous Michelin starred chefs and restaurants including Michael Wignall at the Latymer restaurant at Penny Hill Park hotel, Une Table Au Sud in Marseille France with chef Lionel Levy and Artelier Amora in Poland. He said: “It’s an exciting opportunity to control all of the dining concepts in the pub and run it for me as I will be a patron.” The 32-year-old took over the flag ship site for Searcys fine dining Private Members restaurant, and events, in 2013. He brought with him modern British dishes with French influences. His new venture will be very different to his current role but he’s looking forward to the challenge. He said: “We’ll be serving good British food, with

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great ingredients, in the bar and restaurant. But there is also a private dining area which will do about 20 covers – so our first project is that. “There is an outside area where we want to grow our own ingredients for the restaurant and micro herbs.”

>>> Find out more about Matt in our feature with him

Matt has a lot of plans for the new site including a kitchen refurb, the creation of a deli in one of the outhouses and eventually they hope to have rooms upstairs in the pub. “It’s very much a progressive role,” said Matt. “We’d love to one day reach the heights of Top 50 Gastro Pubs in Britain and the Top Pub Guide.” C0028.MP4.Still001

He added: “I’ve got a great team behind me and I’m looking forward to being back in the kitchen more. The executive role I have now I’m constantly looking at what we are doing, the paperwork and figures. In my new role I can push forward with the cuisine and make sure the food is at a really good standard.”

Find out more about Matt's new venture here: www.thegrantleyarms.co.uk

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