Chef Stu Deeley departs Smoke at Hampton Manor

Chef Stu Deeley has left Smoke at Hampton Manor in Solihull, three years after launching the restaurant.

The 2019 MasterChef: The Professionals winner revealed the news on Instagram, stating it “wasn’t an easy decision to make”.

Deeley joined Hampton Manor in 2020 and opened Smoke in August 2021, a Michelin Guide-listed restaurant that has been recognised for dishes showcasing “hidden creativity and punchy flavours”.

He revealed plans to take a step back to focus on the upcoming birth of his third baby.

He said: “Thank you to James Hill [managing director at Hampton Manor] for the opportunity to help make Smoke become what it is today. Thank you to the team past and present at Smoke and the wider estate.”

Deeley will be cooking on New Year’s Eve at the manor, while Smoke will continue to trade as normal until 23 February 2025.

Hampton Manor confirmed the estate will be welcoming a new restaurant, Kynd, on 27 February from chef David Taylor, who is currently chef director at the Michelin-starred Grace and Savour, which is also based at the hotel.

It added: “We’re hugely grateful for Stu’s contribution to the estate throughout his time with us. Putting the old furnace house on the map, Stu has led Smoke from strength to strength, achieving three AA rosettes, some exceptional reviews and gaining a sizeable fan club.

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“Before embarking on his next project, Stu will be taking time out with his family, to coincide with the birth of his third child. We know you’ll join us in wishing Stu and his wife all the very best for what is bound to be a bright future.⁠”

Deeley was previously head chef at Birmingham’s Wilderness restaurant and studied at Halesowen College.

His biggest influences were Andreas Antona and Luke Tipping of the Michelin-starred Simpsons restaurant in Birmingham.