Karl Martin to leave Old Downton Lodge

Old Downton Lodge's head chef Karl Martin has announced he is leaving the restaurant for personal reasons.

Chef Martin has worked at the restaurant with rooms in Ludlow, Shropshire for the last five years and within the last year the restaurant has been awarded four AA rosettes and shortlisted for the 2019 Cateys Menu of the Year award.

Martin said: "It's been an incredible five years at old Downton Lodge. I'm so sad to be leaving but feel it's the right time to take some time away from the stove for a month or two while I recharge and while I'm looking for my new challenge wherever that maybe. A massive thank you to Willem and Pippa Vlok and the rest of the Downton family."

Willem and Pippa, owners of Old Downton Lodge, added: "It has been a huge privilege working with Karl at Old Downton Lodge. He has left not only his mark at Old Downton Lodge but also Shropshire and will be missed. We wish him well for his next move and I am sure we will see great things from him in the future."

Martin previously worked as head chef at the Falcon at Hatton in Warwickshire.

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