Jake Simpson appointed head chef of the Rectory

Jake Simpson has been named head chef of the Rectory in Wiltshire.

He replaces former head chef Tarryn Bingle, who joined the restaurant in September 2022 after spending nine years at La Trompette in London’s Chiswick.

Simpson joins the Rectory hotel from Bocca di Lupo in London’s Soho. He was previously an alumni of Jeremy Lee’s restaurants, having worked at both the Blueprint Café in London’s Tower Bridge and Quo Vadis in Soho.

At the Rectory, Simpson will also be working with James Erasmus, who was formerly at the Michelin-starred Ledbury in London’s Notting Hill and the Woodsman in Stratford upon Avon. He was also sous chef at the Harwood Arms in London’s Fulham for four years.

Dishes will include the likes of Cornish cod ink romesco, salt cod croquette; venison haunch, faggot, parsnip, pickled prune; and crisp polenta delice pumpkin, ricotta and sage.

Simpson said: “I’m really excited to join the fantastic team here at the Rectory. It’s a fabulous hotel and such a gorgeous dining room. I’m looking forward to being able to use produce from the kitchen garden, and from the fields and farms around - we already have venison shot locally on the menu and lambs from Alex’s mum. It’s such a wonderful opportunity to work in tune with the seasons and the local terroir.”

Alex Payne, owner of the Rectory and its sister pub, the Potting Shed in the Cotswolds, added: “I’ve been a huge fan of Jake’s cooking for some time and convincing him to come and work with us at the Rectory is something I’m very proud of. I’d like to think what he does in the kitchen is perfectly aligned with our discerning but non-glossy take on quality dining and warm and joyous hospitality.”

The Rectory is an 18-room Georgian manor house hotel that was opened in 2017 after an extensive refurbishment. It features a kitchen garden for growing most of its own herbs and vegetables. The restaurant often adopts a nose-to-tail philosophy when curating its menus.