Meet the Chef
Returning to Gidleigh Park, where he previously held the position of Head Chef from 2006-2013, Ian Webber brings a wealth of experience from prestigious country house hotels and kitchens across England, Ireland, France, and Switzerland.
Ian commented, “It’s great to be back at Gidleigh Park and I am very proud to take up the position of Executive Head Chef at this iconic English hotel with its long-standing history of excellence, following in the footsteps of some great names that I have long respected. The kitchen team here is ambitious, driven, and dedicated to creating delicious dishes delivered with exceptional hospitality for all our guests. Working closely with our talented team, including General Manager Alex Barrau, Restaurant Manager Marek Wozniak and our Estate Manager Andrew Brimblecombe, we maximise and celebrate the use of produce from the 107-acre Gidleigh Park Estate, and warmly host all our guests. I can’t wait to welcome back those who I have cooked for in the past, and to create memorable dishes for new guests alike”.
Cooking style
With a passion for celebrating the best ingredients, Ian enjoys a reputation for creating dishes with a clear focus on great flavour and strives to work with suppliers of ethically grown and raised produce.
The importance of ingredients
Ian’s approach is defined by his unwavering focus on great flavour, and his passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences continues to inspire his work with the Gidleigh Park kitchen team.
Career
Ian's accolades include being named South West Chef of the Year in 2006, won following his return to his home county of Devon after time spent in Europe, with this victory swiftly followed by his first appointment at Gidleigh Park, as Head Chef under Michael Caines. In 2013, Ian moved on to take the role of Head Chef at The Five Bells Inn at Clyst Hydon where he and his team achieved a Michelin Bib Gourmand within 12 months, and in 2018, Ian took up the position of Executive Head Chef at The Collective at Woolsery, North Devon, from where he joined Gidleigh Park in December 2024.