James Greatorex appointed head chef at Grove of Narberth

The former head chef of L’Ortolan in Reading has been appointed head chef of the Grove of Narberth in Pembrokshire.

James Greatorex is taking over from Gerwyn Jones, who was internally promoted from the Grove of Narberth to its sister venue, Lan y Môr restaurant in Saundersfoot. 

Greatorex will be joining executive chef Douglas Balish’s team, which also recently recruited two new sous chefs, Walter Cheung and Adam Ashley.

Prior to the Grove, Greatorex was head chef at the three-AA-rosette and formerly two-Michelin-starred restaurant L’Ortolan. He first joined the restaurant as sous chef in 2018, before being promoted to head chef in March 2020.

Greatorex was also chef de partie for the three-Michelin-starred Fat Duck in Bray.

Meanwhile, Cheung, who had worked with Greatorex for the past two years at L’Ortolan, was also sous chef at the Michelin-starred Gaddi’s Restaurant at the Peninsula hotel in Hong Kong.

Ashley joins the Grove of Narberth team from the Michelin-starred Hide and Fox in Kent, where he was sous chef under Alistair Barsby, former executive head chef at the Pembrokeshire hotel.

Balish said: “I’m delighted to have James, Walter and Adam join my team here in Pembrokeshire. Individually they have incredible experience, while collectively, they bring additional strength and expert skills gained from some of the most highly respected venues across the country.”

The Grove of Narberth is home to the four-AA-rosette fine dining restaurant Fernery and brasserie Artisan Rooms. 

The 25-bedroom Grove of Narberth is part of the family-owned Seren Collection, which also operates Penmaenuchaf in Dolgellau, Lan y Môr in Saundersfoot and Beach House in Oxwich.