From Maldives Atoll to Ashdown Park

Jerry Davies has been appointed Executive Chef at Ashdown Park, the award-winning country house hotel at Wych Cross, near Forest Row. It is the latest stage in a globetrotting career that has taken him to some of the world’s largest hotel groups and privately owned luxury boutique hotels.

A former winner of the Welsh Chef of the Year award, Jerry began his career as an apprentice at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel and has been a chef for nearly 30 years and an Executive Chef for the last ten. For two years prior to joining Ashdown Park he was Executive Chef at the Soneva Gili Resort and Six Senses Spa and Ohlahali Resort Retreat in the Maldives where he was responsible for five restaurants.

He previously worked at Kempinski Hotel The Dome in Antalya, a leading beachfront golf resort on the Turkish Riviera and Great Fosters Hotel in Surrey. Jerry’s extensive career has also taken him to other top name hotels including London’s Thistle Tower and Park Lane hotels. He also spent two years directing prestigious events for private and corporate clients including Cartier polo functions and parties for tennis player Tim Henman.

With a team of 25 chefs Jerry is now responsible for Ashdown Park’s two AA rosette Anderida Restaurant, the Fairways Lounge in the Country Club and the hotel’s banqueting, room service and public lounge.

He said: “Ashdown Park has an excellent name for quality and I am looking forward to building on that reputation.”

Jerry is also keen to share his enthusiasm with newcomers to the hospitality industry as well as those already working in the culinary profession. He is a Master Chef of Great Britain, the country’s leading professional chefs’ association.

“My mission is to help anyone I deal with to fulfil their dreams and assist my team in making decisions with the insight I have gained following a varied and worldwide career in hospitality.”

Ashdown Park General Manager Ben Booker said: “With his wide reaching knowledge and experience I am delighted to welcome such an experienced chef to the hotel.”

Ashdown Park is part of Elite Hotels, which also owns Tylney Hall, in Rotherwick, Hampshire, the five-star Grand Hotel, in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and recently opened five-star Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa in Bedfordshire. All four hotels are members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the collection of leading independent hotels that offer unrivalled standards of luxury, comfort and service.