Ernst Van Zyl to join Matfen Hall as head chef

Van Zyl, who was most recently head chef at The Isle of Eriska Hotel in Benderloch, Oban, will head up the kitchen at the hotel when he joins on 25 October.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Matfen Hall family and taking on the role of head chef,” he says. “I have always been passionate about pushing culinary boundaries and delivering the best dining experiences possible. Matfen Hall provides the perfect platform for me to showcase my skills and creativity.”

Van Zyl’s career has taken him around the globe, from South Africa to the US as well as Europe. Previous roles include head chef at Etrop Grange hotel in Manchester and chef-patron at The Lord Clyde gastropub in Cheshire.

“We are delighted to welcome Ernst Van Zyl to the Matfen Hall family,” says Nathan White, general manager at Matfen Hall.

“His international experience, dedication to creating great culinary experiences, align perfectly with our commitment to providing our guests with a world-class luxury experience here at Matfen Hall.”