Dave Watts joins Hurst House on the Marsh as head chef

Former Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons chef Dave Watts has joined Hurst House on the Marsh in Laugharne, Wales as head chef.​

The 29-year-old chef, who spent eight years working with Raymond Blanc, said he aims to bring a 'fine dining experience' to the 70-cover restaurant 17-bedroom Camarthenshire boutique hotel.

"The potential at Hurst is phenomenal," he said. "I see it as a blank canvas which I can work on with the team to create something which is outstanding in every way.”

Watts said he was attracted to the role by the prospect of using produce from the hotel's organic kitchen garden and is keen to expand the restaurant's use of local produce.

Hotel appointments​

Linthwaite House Hotel in Cumbria is also welcoming back former employee Andrew Nicholson who has taken on the role of general manager.

Nicholson was head chef at the 32-bedroom Lake District hotel from 2001 to 2004. He left to join the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel at Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire as head chef before moving across to resident manager there.

Linthwaite owner Mike Bevans said: "Having worked here about eight years ago as head chef, we are delighted Andrew has decided to come back to Linthwaite. We hope he can bring along the expertise he has learned and now put into practice here as the new general manager."

In other hotel appointments, David Marchello-Charlton has joined Ramada Manchester Salford Quays as sales manager.

In his role Marchello-Charlton will be responsible for driving corporate sales for accommodation and conferencing at the four-star hotel.