Michael Bateman and Chris Delaney, Matfen Hall hotel
Matfen Hall Hotel has strengthened its culinary and management teams with the appointments of a new head chef and operations manager.
Head chef Chris Delaney has joined the Northumberland golf and spa hotel from Close House Hotel at Heddon-on-the-Wall, where he led the team at the award-winning Argent D’Or restaurant for 7 years.
He was trained by acclaimed restaurateur and chef Albert Roux and has also worked at prestigious North East venues Jesmond Dene House and Slaley Hall. He will be lending his culinary and creative skills to Matfen Hall’s 2 AA Rosette-awarded Library Restaurant.
The second appointment is Michael Bateman, who has joined as operations manager from the luxury Samling hotel in the Lake District, which held a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Bernard Bloodworth, general manager, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Chris and Michael to Matfen Hall, both of whom are professionals with excellent reputations in their industries. Both are originally from this area, and with the hotel being owned by one of Newcastle’s oldest and well-known farming families, it’s great to have this local flavour to our team."