John Godfrey to take over from Liam Finnegan at The Castle

John Godfrey, 29, currently sous-chef at the hotel will replace Liam Finnegan at the end of August.

Liam, who has been at the hotel for eight years, will be leaving to work in an executive role running Michael Caines’s restaurants in Devon and Cornwall.

"John joined me in 2012. He has developed into an outstanding chef and a fine leader,” said Liam.

“It's been great working with him and it's reassuring for me to be handing the baton over to him.”

John has worked in many restaurants throughout the region, but kept returning to The Castle and has enjoyed working with Liam over the past few years.

"Liam taught me attention to detail and people skills. His drive and passion are infectious,” he said.

“I feel privileged to be taking over the reins from him. This is a challenge I shall be grabbing by the horns."

For 40 years, The Castle has become a popular place for young chefs to showcase their talents, with Chris Oakes, Gary Rhodes, Phil Vickery and Richard Guest all working at the hotel.

Nick Chapman, chairman of the family business, said: "John has won his spurs. He has all the qualities that make a great head chef - very much in the mould of Liam and his distinguished predecessors.

"Not least, few people will know that it was John Godfrey to whom we entrusted the security of the hotel and BRAZZ during the difficult three months of lockdown.

“He moved in and took care of the place as the sole resident. That trust speaks volumes about the nature of his character."