Former Waterside Inn sous chef joins Lake District inn with rooms

Alex Beard, a former senior sous chef at the renowned three-Michelin-starred Waterside Inn has been appointed head chef at the Punch Bowl at Crosthwaite in Cumbria.

Beard spent five years at the Waterside Inn in Bray, Berkshire – the latter two as senior sous chef – and three years as a private chef while also continuing to work on promotions, pop ups and consultancy for the Roux family.

Richard Rose, owner of the nine-bedroom Punch Bowl, which named the pub of the year in Michelin's Eating Out in Pubs 2009 guide, said: “We are thrilled to have attracted someone of Alex’s talent and experience to the Punch Bowl.

“In just a short space of time he has transformed our menus and invigorated the kitchen and there’s a great buzz around the Punch Bowl at the moment. He is building an incredible team who are benefitting from learning new techniques and trying out new recipes and are all really inspired. He is the ideal fit for us.”

Beard said: “Richard has put a lot of trust in me to give me my first head chef role and I’m going to repay that trust and drive the business forward. That means being recognised for our great food, great service, great wine – and being an outstanding all-round destination inn.”

The pub, originally built in the 17th century, was owned by Steven Doherty from 1995 to 2006, the first Englishman to be head chef of the then three-Michelin-starred restaurant Le Gavroche, Acorn Award winner and 1997 Cateys Pub Operator of the Year.

Beard replaces former head chef Arthur Bridgeman Quin Arthur, who left early last year after two years and is understood to be gaining experience in France as part of the William Heptinstall Award, which he won in 2017.