Chefs Stage
We’ve a stellar line up of region’s most exciting chefs who’ll be showcasing their seafood cookery and championing seasonal and local produce. Led by Luke Holder from HH&Co Lime Wood with Cambium’s Dylan James, AO by Daniel Rogan and Gavin Barnes from the High Street Kitchen all taking the stage.
Sponsored by:
Our Hosts and Experts
JEN WILLIAMS
Jen is the founder of the multi award-winning Naked Jam.
Growing up in Wales where her mother taught her how to forage for flowers and fruits in a way we would now label ‘sustainable’ Jen was decades ahead of the world.
A chef in her own right and member of the Royal Society of Culinary Arts Naked Jam can be found adorning dishes in some of London’s most iconic hotels.
With an unerring commitment to sustainable practices combined with a culinary genius that truly celebrates seasonal and local. Jen will be hosting the Chefs Stage and classes in the Cookery School across the weekend.
CHRIS BAVIN
Joining us again to host the Chefs Stage and work a bit of magic in the Cookery School is Chris Bavin.
Founder of the award-winning ‘The Naked Grocer, multi-talented broadcaster and writer Chris has been a leading figure in the UK’s food and consumer television for the last decade.
His roots first planted in the fruit & veg industry, Chris was an early champion of the ‘zero packaging, no plastic’ movement. He’s presented Tomorrow’s Food, The Truth About Food’ and ‘Shop Well for Less’ to name just a few.
A regular on the One Show and even popping up at the Chelsea Flower Show……is there anything he can’t do?!
LIVE ON OUR CHEFS STAGE
Friday Lineup
Luke Holder, Lime Wood’s Hartett Holder & Co
Friday 10th July1.00pm – 1.40pm
Lime Wood’s Hartett Holder & Co. head chef Luke Holder has a wealth of experiences and culinary influences. Learning the ropes at The Orrery, then the Oxo Tower, he headed to the three-Starred Enoteca Pinchiorri in Florence which changed his philosophy on cooking.
Since 2013 his food story has evolved at Lime Wood alongside the incredible Angela Hartnett to create one of the south’s most acclaimed dining experiences.
Surabhi Suresh, Montagu Arms Hotel
Friday 10th July2.10pm-2.50pm
Surabhi Suresh is Sous Chef at The Montagu Arms Hotel in Beaulieu, where she brings a modern, refined touch to the kitchen in the heart of the New Forest.
A graduate of the ITM Institute of Hotel Management and a former competitor in the Young Chef Competition, Surabhi has gained experience in award-winning kitchens, including Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill.
Away from the kitchen, Surabhi enjoys exploring new flavours and experimenting with creative recipes.
Jordan Knox – Head Chef, Stanwell House
Friday 10th July3.20pm – 4.00pm
Jordan Knox is the Head Chef at Stanwell House, bringing over 10 years of experience across some of the South Coast’s most respected kitchens.
He has been instrumental in refining the food offering, bringing a fresh, modern approach to the menus with a strong focus on bold flavours, seasonality, and quality produce. His cooking is rooted in classic technique but driven by creativity, with an emphasis on letting great ingredients speak for themselves.
Callum Jellicoe, Balmer Lawn Hotel
Friday 10th July4.20pm – 5pm
A true New Forest chef having worked his way up and through some of the best known kitchens including The Terravina learning the ropes from Michelin starred head chefs. Now second in command at Balmer Lawn Hotel where his passion of local, seasonal ingredients and refined dishes continues to draw crowds.
Saturday Lineup
Amaresh Nandan, The White Hart
Saturday 11th July11.30am – 12.10pm
Amaresh heads up the kitchen at The White Hart, which opened in Lymington last year and has continued to win rave reviews. Having joined the Heartwood collection in November 2021 as a Senior Sous Chef having previously led the kitchen at Brasserie Blanc in Winchester
With over 21 years of experience he possesses skills in European, Indian and other cuisines. Amaresh learned his trade with one of the finest Hotel Groups in India – The Taj.
Gavin Barnes, The High Street Kitchen & Jeff ‘The Fish’ Wheeler
Saturday 11th July1.30pm – 2.10pm
Former Masterchef ‘The Professionals’ Finalist in 2015, Gavin is Chef Patron at the High Street Kitchen. Having climbed the culinary ladder at Le Poussin under Alex Aitken and alongside Gerard Basset OBE and ASI World Sommelier 2010 when he was head chef at Terravina.
Passionate about local produce and taking simple ingredients to the next level. The High Street Kitchen has become one of the foremost restaurants in the New Forest.
Joining Gavin is Jeff ‘The Fish’ Wheeler who opened his fishmongers last year at Everton Nurseries. He sources on the best ‘day boat catch’ from local fishermen and has been known to join the crew when its not too choppy!
Dylan James, Careys Manor
Saturday 11th July3.50pm - 4.30pm
Chef Dylan James has been appointed Head Chef at Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa’s Cambium restaurant, after joining as Sous Chef in June 2022. Trained at Bournemouth and Poole College, Dylan earned the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Diploma, then honed his skills at The Goring Hotel, cooking for the Royal Family and contributing to a Michelin-starred brigade.
He gained experience in France, worked under Michael Caines at Lympstone Manor, and flourished at Careys Manor where he now heads up the kitchen at flagship restaurant Cambium.
Thomas Sheppard, The Pig
Saturday 11th July5.30pm-6.10pm
Thomas is the Sous Chef at THE PIG in the New Forest and has been part of the group for over 7 years. Straight from leaving college, he went to work in a one Michelin star kitchen – The Montagu Arms in Beaulieu – where his passion for cooking truly began, and he worked with the team there for around 6 years.
A Hampshire local through and through, Thomas loves the New Forest for its peace and quiet; a very welcome place to walk out to after a busy service!
Sunday Lineup
Suki Pantal, TV Chef & Author
Sunday 12th July12.30pm – 1.00pm
Suki Pantal, founder of Suki’s Curries and Spices, is a cookbook author, culinary teacher, food columnist and speaker. Born in New Delhi, she specialises in regional Indian recipes, including India’s coastal cuisines and authentic flavours.
Her debut cookbook, Garnish with Garam Masala, celebrates family favourites and hidden regional gems. Her latest, No Worries, Just Chicken Curries explores affordable, everyday Indian dishes and has been featured in The Sunday Times, Stylist and The Week.
Steve Hall & Kelvin Mullins, The Noisy Lobster
Sunday 12th July2.30pm – 3.10pm
Steve Hall
Steve has been at the helm of the Noisy Lobster since it opened its doors in 2012. Originally from Kendal, his ethos around using the best sustainable and seasonal seafood is second to none. Helpful when he could almost hang a fishing rod from his restaurant kitchen! Awarded their first Rosette in 2022.
Kelvin Mullins
Kelvin began his culinary career in Switzerland at Hotel Castel and Steigenberger Grandhotel Belvédère before returning to London to work at renowned establishments including Le Caprice, The Dorchester, Grosvenor House Hotel, Shumi and Roast at Borough Market.
A founding member of The Pig, he became Group Pastry Chef in 2016. Now at The Noisy Lobster, Kelvin oversees its varied food offering with creativity, expertise and infectious enthusiasm.
Cameron Bradshaw, The Briny
Sunday 12th July4.20pm – 5pm
Cameron began his culinary career in 2007, developing his skills at the two Rosette Millstream Hotel and Restaurant, followed by senior roles at the five Rosette, two Michelin-starred Latymer at Pennyhill Park, The Devonshire Arms and Restaurant 36 on the Quay. He joined The Briny opening team as Head Chef in 2019, earning and retaining its first AA Rosette since 2022. Passionate about sustainable British seafood and celebrating local ingredients right on their doorstep.
Site by