The Watergate Bay Hotel has appointed a new executive head chef.
Chris Eden – the first Cornishman to win a Michelin star in Cornwall – will take the helm on October 1.
Eden enters the Watergate Bay fold after working in some of the UK’s most highly-regarded kitchens. From Knightsbridge’s Lanesborough to Mayfair’s The Square, he has developed his techniques under the watchful eye of some of the UK’s most highly regarded chefs.
He said: “I want to create dishes that bring a neighbourhood restaurant feel, where people come, have the best time, eat the best food and leave happy. I want to create food that people understand, they love and enjoy.”
Stepping into the world of catering at the age of 16 at St Austell College, Eden has always been drawn to the kitchen: “I dreamt of being a chef when I was 11 years old; three decades later, I still wake up every day loving being in the kitchen.”
After honing his craft in London under big-name chefs Phil Howard, Chris Galvin and Paul Gayler, Eden returned to Cornwall to take up a head chef position at the Driftwood on the Roseland peninsula, where he won his first Michelin star.
He retained it from 2012 until the end of his tenure in 2019, before moving to Devon for his most recent position at Gidleigh Park. Here, he gained a Michelin star in 2023 for the “balanced, harmonious and rewarding” flavours in his dishes.
Now, returning to his home county and assuming the executive head chef mantle at Watergate Bay, feels like a defining moment. “I truly believe that my journey in food has taken me to Watergate Bay. The places I’ve been, and the dishes I’ve created have all prepared me for this role.”
Watergate Bay founder and executive director, Will Ashworth, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Chris to the team; he’s not only a perfect fit for the role, but his radiating enthusiasm will no doubt elevate this experience for everyone – guests, team and visitors alike.”
