Chef Chris Eden to leave Gidleigh Park in Devon

Chris Eden will leave Gidleigh Park in Devon this autumn after five years at the hotel as executive head chef.

He joined the five-red-AA-star, 26-bedroom hotel in Chagford in September 2019 from Driftwood in Portscatho, Cornwall, where he was head chef for 12 years.

The Cornish-born chef retained a Michelin star for Driftwood from 2012 until the end of his tenure there.

Gidleigh Park was also awarded a Michelin star in 2023, which it retained this year in recognition of its “balanced, harmonious and rewarding” flavours.

The restaurant previously held two Michelin stars under Michael Caines between 1999 and 2015, who cemented Gidleigh Park’s presence in the UK fine dining scene up until his departure from the hotel in 2016. 

Simon Franks, regional general manager, Gidleigh Park, said: “Chris is a champion of local producers and guests have loved the produce-led ethos that he has brought to the kitchens of Gidleigh Park. A big character around the hotel and restaurant, we will miss his smile and company, and wish him all the best in his future career.”

Eden added: “Continuing to live in Cornwall, but heading up the prestigious kitchens at Gidleigh Park has been challenging, but an experience that I will treasure. It’s now time to spend more time nearer my family, and I thank all the team for a brilliant five years together.”

Recruitment is now underway for a new executive head chef.

Gidleigh Park is part of Andrew Brownsword Hotels, which has a collection of 13 privately-owned hotels across the UK, encompassing four city centre Abode hotels, Sydney House Chelsea, and a number of countryside properties.