Martin Horsley named executive head chef at Rockliffe Hall

Martin Horsley has been appointed executive head chef at Rockliffe Hall in County Durham.

He replaces Ian Matfin in the position, and will take on a wider role mentoring each of the head chefs at Rockliffe’s three restaurants, including the three-AA-rosette Orangery restaurant, the Clubhouse, and new casual spa venue Nu Sana.

Horsley joins from the Sofitel London St James hotel where he was executive sous chef and has more than 30 years’ experience in the restaurant industry.

He started his career at Gleneagles in Auchterarder, Perthshire, and spent a year at Michelin-starred 21 Queens Street in Newcastle under the guidance of Terry Laybourne, before moving to Australia and working in senior positions at hotels including the Sheraton in Perth and alongside Raymond Capaldi and Gary Mehigan at Melbourne restaurant Fenix.

Jason Adams, managing director at Rockliffe Hall, said: “[Horsley’s] culinary knowledge, skills, and decades of experience in the finest kitchens, hotels and restaurants will only further elevate our first-class gastronomic offering. Rockliffe Hall has a wonderful culinary fan base that I am confident will continue to grow under his leadership.”

Rockliffe Hall opened in 2009 and is set within 375 acres of grounds on the banks of the River Tees, featuring an 18-hole golf course and 50,000 sq ft spa. Owned by Steve Gibson, the five-red-AA-starred property has 61 bedrooms and is a member of Pride of Britain Hotels and Small Luxury Hotels of the World.