John Burton-Race ‘temporarily' heading kitchen at Millbrook Inn

Chef John Burton-Race is "temporarily" heading the kitchen at Devon's Millbrook Inn after departing from his eponymous restaurant with rooms.

Burton-Race is overseeing the kitchen following the departure of Jean-Phillipe Bidart, who had been head chef of the South Pool pub for the past nine years, while the search for a permanent head chef continues.

Owner Charlie Baker posted on the pub's website: "It is with a great deal of excitement, enthusiasm and personal appreciation I can announce that we are having a true great of the culinary landscape take over the running of the Millbrook kitchen until we locate a permanent head chef to see us back on track for the next part in our journey. I sincerely appreciate John's help taking the reins in the kitchen during this difficult period. Let's hope he enjoys the Millbrook as much as we do, and stays long term!"

Burton-Race said he was "happy to be helping out a friend" and is "still looking out for a permanent role as an executive chef with leading hotels and restaurants around the globe".

Burton-Race announced his resignation as chef-patron of John Burton-Race Restaurant with Rooms in August after the property, owned by Richardson Hotel Group, fell into administration, just months after it was rebranded.

The refurbishment of the property was widely reported to have contributed to the group calling in administrators in January. The hotel was renamed the Abbey Sands hotel last month following the departure of the celebrity chef, and the group is expected to exit administration today.

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