Big chef moves 2026: The major UK and Ireland chef changes so far
Nathan Cornwell has been named chef director at The Woodcote in West Sussex, four months after the closure of the Michelin-listed THE Silver Birch in Chiswick.
He is one of four appointments highlighted this week, with Mark Poynton stepping down at Norwich's only Michelin-starred restaurant, Jamie Keeble heading to Swinton Estate and The Cumberland naming new head chefs at both of its restaurants.
This is The Staff Canteen's running record of the big chef moves across Great Britain and Ireland in 2026. We update it every week, and we cover the same territory as the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland.
Last updated: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Alongside the biggest head chef appointments, we log the moves that tend to go unreported: the head chef who steps up to executive chef, the chef patron who stays in place while somebody else takes over the stoves, and the sous chef who finally gets the top job.
Know about a move we have missed? Email tom@thestaffcanteen.com and we will add it.
This week's biggest chef moves
Nathan Cornwell to The Woodcote, West Sussex
Nathan Cornwell has been appointed chef director at The Woodcote in Graffham, West Sussex, taking charge of the kitchen at Glen and Asta Manchester's restaurant with rooms.
Nathan spent three years as head chef at The Silver Birch in Chiswick, which closed earlier this year. Before that he was at The Barn at Moor Hall, where he helped Mark Birchall's second Lancashire restaurant win its Michelin star in 2022, and his career has also taken in Le Champignon Sauvage, Kitchen W8 and the Scandinavian kitchens of Geranium, Kadeau and Oaxen Krog.
At The Woodcote he is pushing the menu in an even more produce-led direction, leaning further into what can be grown and foraged on the surrounding estate. New dishes include Duncton Mill trout with lovage taramasalata and kohlrabi, and south coast lobster with garden cucumber and lobster hollandaise.
The appointment lands as the Manchesters press on with an expansion they have described as an ambition to create one of Britain's leading countryside hospitality destinations. The business has planning permission for 16 further bedrooms and a new 40-cover fine dining restaurant.
Mark Poynton steps down as chef patron of Caistor Hall
Mark Poynton has resigned as chef patron and director of Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall, Norwich's only Michelin-starred restaurant, after four and a half years on the project.
He will now focus fully on his Cambridge restaurant, Ancient Shepherds by Mark Poynton.
The restaurant at Caistor Hall has since announced it will close its doors following Mark's departure, on Saturday, August 22, 2026.
Jamie Keeble to the Chef's Table at Swinton Estate, North Yorkshire
Jamie Keeble is leaving Michelin-starred Mýse in Hovingham to become head chef of the Chef's Table at Swinton Estate in Masham, starting in September.
Jamie was part of the opening team at Mýse in 2023, working alongside founders Victoria and Josh Overington, and he has had a considerable year on his own account. He won the rising star award in the chef category at the National Restaurant Awards 2026 and reached finals week on Great British Menu.
- Read more: Who is Jamie Keeble?
The Chef's Table is a 12-seat room in the estate's historic Coach House, built around seasonal Yorkshire tasting menus with much of the produce coming from the walled garden. It reopens under Jamie on Thursday, October 1, 2026. He works under Steve Darou, who joined the estate as executive head chef in June after 12 years with the St John restaurants.
Jamie said: "Joining Swinton Estate is an incredible opportunity to create a dining experience that is personal, memorable and rooted in the seasons." He added that his cooking "celebrates modern British food, inspired by memories, tradition and the exceptional produce we have here in Yorkshire."
Matthew Hurry and Stefano Tortelli to The Cumberland, Marble Arch
Announced Thursday, August 6, 2026 · head chefs
The Cumberland in Marble Arch has appointed two new head chefs, with Matthew Hurry taking charge of the hotel's own food and beverage operation and Stefano Tortelli leading the kitchen at Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen.
Matthew Hurry arrives with more than 15 years in luxury hotels and restaurants. He was most recently head chef at The Angel Inn, a two AA rosette restaurant with rooms, and before that spent more than three years running the kitchen at The Stables at The Grove hotel and spa, overseeing a large brigade across several outlets. His career also takes in Hotel Café Royal, Sea Containers London, Four Seasons Hotel London at Ten Trinity Square and InterContinental London Park Lane. While at Hotel Café Royal in 2019 he won the M Young Chef of the Year award.
At The Cumberland, Matt leads the food and beverage offering across the hotel, including its Spanish tapas restaurant Lírica. The hotel also has 17 meeting and event spaces, the largest of them, Arena, holding up to 400 guests.
Stefano Tortelli joins from Bulldozer Group, where as brand executive head chef he led the group's Italian portfolio and oversaw the openings of ALBA in Knightsbridge and La Baia in Paris. He has held senior roles at Margot, Enoteca Turi, Bocconcino and Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, consulted on the launch of Adare Restaurant in New York and cooked privately for the Getty family.
Stefano succeeds Kyle Lewis, who joined Hell's Kitchen from The Savoy in March and has since left. The restaurant was the first in the UK based on the television series.
Pedro Da Silva, general manager at The Cumberland, said: "We are delighted to welcome Matthew and Stefano to The Cumberland at such an exciting time for the hotel. Both bring exceptional talent and creativity, with a wealth of experience across some of the industry's most respected hotels and restaurants. Their appointments reflect our continued investment in delivering outstanding dining experiences, and we're excited to see them shape the future of dining at The Cumberland."
Chefs on the move in 2026, month by month
Newest first, and the featured appointments above appear here too, so this stays the full running record.
August 2026
- Matthew Hurry - The Cumberland, Marble Arch: Left The Angel Inn to lead the kitchen across the hotel's food and beverage offering, including its Spanish tapas restaurant Lírica.
- Stefano Tortelli - Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen, The Cumberland: Left Bulldozer Group, where he was brand executive head chef, to become head chef, succeeding Kyle Lewis.
- Kyle Lewis: Left his role as head chef of Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen at The Cumberland, where Stefano Tortelli succeeds him. Next move not yet confirmed.
- Mark Poynton - Ancient Shepherds by Mark Poynton, Fen Ditton: Resigned as chef patron and director of Mark Poynton at Caistor Hall in Norwich to focus on his Cambridge restaurant, Ancient Shepherds by Mark Poynton.
- Nathan Cornwell - The Woodcote, West Sussex: Left The Silver Birch in Chiswick, which closed earlier this year, to become chef director, alongside founders Glen and Asta Manchester.
- James Golding - The Larder House, Bournemouth: Joins as a partner after spells with The Pig hotel group and Rockwater, working alongside owner James Fowler.
- Matt Noonan - The Larder House, Bournemouth: Arrives as head chef from Michelin-starred and rosetted kitchens in Hampshire and the New Forest, under new partner James Golding.
Read more: Interview with James Golding and Matt Noonan on their move to The Larder House
July 2026
- Abismael Urena Castillo - Arcus Rooftop Bar and Restaurant, Bloomsbury: Left Wagtail in London, having previously cooked at Le Gavroche, to become head chef ahead of the venue's opening.
- Brian Scanlan - JA Mar Hall Golf and Spa Resort, Glasgow: Left Cameron House on Loch Lomond to become executive chef.
- Fabien Spagnolo - Sune, Hackney: Left Bar Crispin in Soho to become head chef at Sune, replacing Frank Guest. Co-founders Honey Spencer and Charlie Sims remain.
- Alex Payne: Left his role as chef patron of Sorrel in Dorking following the restaurant's closure. Next move not yet announced. (Read our interview with owner Steve Drake on why he shut Sorrel)
- Scott John-Hodgson - Solstice and House of Tides, Newcastle: Promoted from head chef to executive chef across both sites. Kenny Atkinson remains chef patron and creative director. (Read more on this story)
- Chris Denney - Ronnie's, London: Becomes executive chef after a career taking in Chavot, Viajante and 108 Garage.
- Jamie Keeble - Chef's Table at Swinton Estate, North Yorkshire: Left Michelin-starred Mýse in Hovingham to become head chef from September, under executive head chef Steve Darou.
- Fai Choi - Hakkasan Group, UK: Left Mora in Hong Kong to become research and development chef for the UK.
- Grigoris Thanasis - Mauro Colagreco at Raffles London at The OWO: Moves across from Saison within the same hotel to become head chef.
- Guy Betteridge - Park Hyatt London River Thames: Joins as executive chef.
- Shaun Searley: Announced he would leave Quality Chop House in London after 13 years to develop his first solo project.
- Charlotte Vincent - The White Hart, Wiveliscombe: Became head chef at the Somerset pub owned by Telegraph restaurant critic William Sitwell, having previously worked at Burgh Island Hotel in Devon.
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June 2026
- Jonny Bone: Left Core by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill after more than a decade as head chef. Next move not yet confirmed. (Check out our interview with Jonny on why he left Core)
- Will Bee - Rosina, Wandsworth Common: Left Lita in Marylebone to become head chef at Rosina, with chef patron Adam Byatt providing direction. (Read our interview with Will on joining Rosina)
- Kushal Rai - The Cocochine, Mayfair: Promoted from junior sous chef to head chef. Larry Jayasekara remains owner.
- Reif Othman - CLAP, London: Joins as chef partner from REIF Japanese Kushiyaki in Dubai.
- Steve Darou - Swinton Estate, North Yorkshire: Left the St John restaurants in London after 12 years to become executive head chef across the estate.
- Max Wilson - The Gurnard's Head and The Old Coastguard, Cornwall: Promoted from head chef at The Gurnard's Head to executive chef across both sites.
- Chris Angove - The Gurnard's Head, Zennor: Promoted from senior sous chef to head chef, under executive chef Max Wilson.
- Oliver Gardner - The Old Coastguard, Mousehole: Promoted from senior sous chef to head chef, under executive chef Max Wilson.
- Catarina Almeida - Isabel, Mayfair: Left Petersham Nurseries to become head chef.
- Chris Whitmore - The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall: Becomes head chef after cooking at Maze and with The Social Group in London.
- Owen Seamark - Lapin, Bristol: Left Heckfield Place in Hampshire to become head chef at Lapin. Jack Briggs-Horan remains executive chef and co-owner.
- Lisa Goodwin-Allen - Pearl, Mayfair: Oversees the menu at Pearl in Brown Hart Gardens, while remaining chef patron-director at Northcote in Langho.
- Pip Lacey: Left her role as executive chef at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Covent Garden after six months. Next move not disclosed.
- Jamian Lewis - Guinness Open Gate Brewery, Covent Garden: Promoted to head chef, succeeding Pip Lacey.
- Max Coen: Stepped down as executive chef of Dorian in Notting Hill after four years. Next move not yet announced. (Read more on this story)
- Zsuzsanna Toth - The Pharmacy, Bruton: Left GAIA near Berlin to become joint head chef. Merlin Labron-Johnson remains owner and creative director.
- Marc Ackland - The Pharmacy, Bruton: Promoted from within to joint head chef alongside Zsuzsanna Toth. Merlin Labron-Johnson remains owner and creative director.
- Andy McFadden: Left his role as head chef at Glovers Alley at The Fitzwilliam in Dublin.
- Adam Nevin - Glovers Alley at The Fitzwilliam, Dublin: Left The Morrison Room at Carton House in Maynooth to become executive chef, replacing Andy McFadden. The restaurant reopens in September 2026.
- Romy Gill - The Pem, Westminster: Takes over the kitchen at the Conrad London St James, relaunching it as Romy Gill at The Pem and succeeding Sally Abé. (Read more on this story)
- Chet Sharma - Gymkhana and JKS Restaurants, London: Becomes global culinary director while remaining chef patron of BiBi in Mayfair. (Read more on this story)
- Jonathan Ferguson - Brooklands by Claude Bosi, The Peninsula London: Left The French Laundry in California to become head chef. Claude Bosi remains chef patron. (Read our interview with Jonathan on why he made the move)
- Luca Natalini - Salone, Vigo Street: Left Autem in Milan to become chef and partner, with Lita owner Daniel Koukarskikh.
- Lewis Johnson - Willy's, Margate: Left The Fox and Pheasant in Chelsea to become head chef at Willy's in Cliftonville. Will Jenkins remains founder and chef patron.
May 2026
- Tom Anglesea - MOR, Cornwall: Becomes executive chef at MOR on the Carbis Bay Estate while continuing to oversee Dovetale in Mayfair. Tom Sellers remains chef patron.
- Corrin Harrison - MOR, Cornwall: Left Gwen in Machynlleth to become head chef at MOR, under executive chef Tom Anglesea and chef patron Tom Sellers. (Read our interview with Corrin on the move)
- Jack Clayton - MOR, Cornwall: Left The Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall for a senior kitchen role at MOR. Title not stated.
- Chris McClurg - Regency House, Belfast: Left Paul Ainsworth at No.6 in Padstow to open his first independent restaurant as chef patron, with Alice Stewart. (Read more on this story)
- Ian Waller - Pyr at Freight Island, Newcastle: Joins as head chef, under chef owner Cal Byerley of Restaurant Pine.
- Spencer Metzger - Chez Rose, Mayfair: Becomes chef patron of Chez Rose while retaining his executive chef role at Row on 5 on Savile Row. (Read our interview with Spencer on opening Chez Rose)
- Peter Sanchez-Iglesias - Gwen, Machynlleth: Left Decimo in London, having previously run Casamia and Paco Tapas in Bristol, to take over the kitchen from Corrin Harrison. Gareth Ward remains owner. (Read our interview with Peter on moving to Gwen)
- Matt Sampson - FIR by Matt Sampson, Hay-on-Wye: Left Ynyshir in Machynlleth to open his own restaurant as chef and owner.
- Ollie Bridgwater - TRUEfoods Ltd: Left his executive head chef role at SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel in Windermere to become head of food and innovation.
- Piero Tiddia - Murano, London: Promoted to head chef ahead of the restaurant's reopening in September. Angela Hartnett remains chef owner.
April 2026
- Marta Sandini - Lardo, London Fields: Left Hiša Franko in Slovenia to become head chef.
- Simon Ulph - Rowan at Rothay Manor, Cumbria: Left The Stafford London in Mayfair to become head chef at Rowan in Ambleside.
- Dom Chapman - The Jack O'Newbury, Binfield: Becomes chef-partner with restaurateur Nigel Sutcliffe, while staying on at The Crown at Burchetts Green. (Read our interview with Dom about the new venture)
- Matthew Tomkinson - The Jetty, Harbour Hotel Southampton: Joined as executive head chef from The Terrace in Yarmouth.
- Stéphane Petit - Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, London: Promoted to executive chef. He continues to work alongside chef patron Jean-Philippe Blondet rather than replacing him.
- Paola Arenas - Decimo at The Standard, London: Takes charge of the kitchen after Park Hyatt and Mandarin Oriental roles in the Middle East, succeeding Peter Sanchez-Iglesias.
- Patricia Roig - Barrafina Group: Left BOCA in Dubai to become international executive chef, a newly created role.
- James Lovatt - Moor Hall, Aughton: Promoted from head chef to executive chef after seven years. Mark Birchall remains chef patron.
- George Martin - Moor Hall, Aughton: Returns from Frantzén and FZN by Björn Frantzén, stepping up from development chef to head chef. Mark Birchall remains chef patron.
- Steven Edwards - Nyetimber Estate, West Sussex: Becomes executive chef at Nyetimber while remaining owner of etch. in Hove.
- Sam Carelli - Bank House, Chislehurst: Become executive chef. Formerly worked at Le Gavroche.
- Ben Taylor - The Woodspeen, Berkshire: Left Restaurant Hywel Jones at Lucknam Park in Wiltshire to become head chef.
- Charlie Dilworth - Silva, Mayfair: Steps up from senior sous chef at Lita in Marylebone to head chef at Silva.
- Andy Appleton - Caffè Rojano, Padstow: Left Waterside in Flushing to become head chef. Paul Ainsworth remains chef-owner, with John Walton as culinary director.
- Robbie Jameson - Alta, Soho: Left Humo in London to become head chef at Alta, replacing Rob Roy Cameron. (Read our interview with Robbie on leaving Humo to join Alta)
- Lewis Welburn - Ynyshir, Eglwysfach: Left Forge at Middleton Lodge in North Yorkshire to return to Ynyshir as head chef. Gareth Ward remains chef patron. (Read more on this story)
- Theo Clench - IGNI, Mayfair: Becomes executive chef at IGNI on St George Street, the site formerly occupied by Humo, after Akoko and Cycene. (Read our interview with Theo on launching IGNI)
March 2026
- Kostas Papathanasiou - Lita, Marylebone: Left three-Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm to become culinary director, having joined in November 2025 following Luke Ahearne's exit.
- Jihun Kim: Left his role as executive chef of Somssi at Mandarin Oriental Mayfair weeks after winning a Michelin star. Next move not yet announced.
- Ollie Moore - The Ship, Bishops Sutton: Returns to service after four years away, becoming head chef at The Ship. Previously at The Black Rat in Winchester. (Check out our feature with Ollie here)
- Kyle Lewis - Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen London, The Cumberland: Left The Savoy to become head chef.
February 2026
- Orry Shand - Falls by Orry Shand, Aberdeenshire: Left Entier in Scotland to open his own restaurant on Royal Deeside as owner and chef patron. (Read our interview with Orry on his new restaurant)
- Sid Ahuja: Left two-Michelin-starred Gymkhana in Mayfair as chef director, having risen there from head chef. His next move is set to be to Australia.
- Shogo Amamoto - Sushi Amamoto London, Mayfair: Brings his Taipei restaurant to London as executive chef patron, taking over the former Taku site. Existing head chef Jongho Park is retained.
- Ben Miller - Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, London: Promoted from sous chef to head chef, succeeding Pierre Minotti.
- Sally Abé - Teal by Sally Abé, Hackney: Opens her first solo restaurant as owner and chef patron, after leaving The Bull in Charlbury. (Read more on this story)
- Pierre Minotti - Orrery, Marylebone: Left Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal to become executive chef, relaunching the restaurant as Orrery by Pierre Minotti. (Read more on this story)
- Kevin Scanlan - SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel, Windermere: Joins as head chef.
January 2026
- Adam Tooby-Desmond - Trivet, Bermondsey: Left Dinner by Heston Blumenthal to become head chef at Trivet. Chef-owner Jonny Lake and co-founder Isa Bal remain. (Check out our feature with Adam)
- Robert Aikens - The St Regis London, Mayfair: Left Thomas Franks to become executive head chef ahead of the hotel's mid-2026 opening. (Read more on this story)
- Arnaud Donckele - Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire: The chef behind La Vague d'Or in Saint-Tropez and Plénitude in Paris becomes culinary director.
- Raymond Blanc - Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Oxfordshire: Moves to an ambassadorial role as Arnaud Donckele takes over the kitchen. (Read more on this story)
- Rani Raimondi - Levan, Peckham: Becomes head chef after spells at The Clove Club in London and Prosper in Marseille, under co-founders Mark Gurney and Matt Bushnell.
- Dominic Teague - Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch: Left One Aldwych to become executive chef, overseeing outlets including Coreus by Clare Smyth.
- Sally Abé: Stepped down as head of food at The Bull in Charlbury.
Tell us about a chef move
Moved kitchens, got a promotion, or know someone who has? We would rather hear it from you than read it second-hand. Email tom@thestaffcanteen.com or send us a message on social.
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