Will Holland to leave Coast

by Emily Wright

 

Head chef Will Holland is to leave Coast restaurant in October.

 

Holland first joined the restaurant in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, when owners Neil and Zoe Kedward opened it in April 2014.

 

There, he established a contemporary style of cooking using the best of Welsh produce. His work was recognised with two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence and the title of AA ‘Restaurant of the Year in Wales 2015-2016'.

 

Coast was also praised in the Good Food Guide and the Michelin Guide.

 

Holland said: "I've enjoyed the last three and a half years heading up Coast Restaurant immensely and it was a huge decision for me and my wife to move on.

 

"It was a massive challenge setting up the restaurant and starting it from scratch but one I enjoyed every moment of."

 

He is expected to move on to a new role, to be officially announced next week.

 

Before Coast, Holland was previously head chef of La Bécasse in Ludlow, Shropshire, where he secured his first Michelin star before the age of 30. The Good Food Guide has previously named him one of ‘the 10 most influential chefs of the decade'. He also picked up an Acorn Award in 2009.

 

Neil Kedward, managing director of the Seren Collection, of which Coast is part, said: "It has always been a real pleasure working with Will and he has been instrumental in successfully establishing the restaurant we have in Saundersfoot. He will be sorely missed in these parts by both his work colleagues, the industry and guests alike. We would like to thank him for his three and a half years with us in Pembrokeshire and sincerely wish him and his family the best of luck in the future."

 

Earlier this week, Holland was announced as a finalist for The Craft Guild of Chefs' National Chef of the Year title, which will be awarded at The Restaurant Show in October.

 

The Seren Collection also operates the Grove of Narberth hotel and the Beach House restaurant at Oxwich on the Gower Peninsula.

 

Will Holland announced as head chef at Coast >>

 

Chef Will Holland to leave La Bécasse >>

 

 

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