National Chef of the Year Kuba Winkowski steps down from Feathered Nest Inn

National Chef of the Year winner Kuba Winkowski has stepped down as head chef at the Feathered Nest Inn after nine years behind the pass.

Winkowski, currently the Craft Guild of Chefs, National Chef of the Year, joined the site in Nether Westcote, Oxfordshire, in 2010 after working under Raymond Blanc and Gary Jones at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.

The chef told The Caterer he will now look to focus on other projects.

During his time at the site the pub gained acclaim and awards including a Michelin plate, three AA rosettes and a listing in the Sunday Times top 100 restaurants.

Winkowski said: “The decision to leave the Feathered Nest has been one of the hardest I’ve had to make. I have grown up, matured and developed as a person and a chef here.

“I love this property to bits and I will miss it tremendously but for me I know that the time is right to move on and explore new avenues. I know the business is in good hands and I wish Adam and the team all the best for the future and I hope they will take it to the new heights”.

Winkowski’s departure comes after the Feathered Nest changed hands following the retirement of former owner Tony and Amanda Timmer in early August. Adam Taylor, CEO of Nested Hospitality, has since taken on the site.

Taylor said: I’m sorry that I didn’t really have the opportunity to work with Kuba but I understand and support his decision to leave the business.

“He is a highly skilled and very respected head chef in the industry and I’m sure he will go on to make a huge success of his next venture. I wish him and his family all the very best for the future”.