Meet the Chef
Since his arrival in 2019, Head Chef, Chris Eden continues to bring his produce-led ethos to the kitchens. His distinguished style beautifully blends with touches of adventure and invention, creating refined plates where flavour is king. Chris' passion for great produce is infectious, and always handled with exceptional skill and care. Undeniably refined with an exacting technique, Chris is also renowned for his honest, unfussy approach to cooking.
Cooking style
Chris' menus are contemporary with a nod to tradition, supporting local Devonshire farmers and producers to ensure that only the finest quality ingredients make it onto the plate.
The importance of ingredients
The seasonal bounty from the hotel's kitchen garden influences Chris' menus and his dishes are regularly changing to reflect the seasonality and availability of ingredients.
The Garden Salad, for example, changes daily depending on the fresh vegetables picked that day and plump summer gooseberries are made into chutney to accompany the cheese course, also served with honeycomb from the Gidleigh Park estate.
Career
Born and bred in Cornwall, and having spent most of his career in the south west, Chris has also spent time in London, cooking under Paul Gayler at The Lanesborough, under Chris Galvin at The Orrery, and for Phil Howard at The Square, before he returned to Cornwall in 2007 to take up his position at Driftwood. Chris joined Gidleigh Park in September 2019.