Introducing our new executive chef, Chris Eden

Born in Cornwall, raised in St Austell, made in London and returned to make his mark on the Cornish food scene: Chris Eden – the first Cornishman to win a Michelin star in Cornwall – takes the helm as Watergate Bay’s new executive chef this autumn.

It’s not often that you come across a chef who has managed to earn not one, but two Michelin stars with an approach that’s deemed ‘unfussy’. But, that’s chef Chris Eden, through and through.

Despite having earned his stripes working in some of the UK’s most highly-regarded kitchens – from Knightsbridge’s Lanesborough to Mayfair’s The Square, under the watchful eye of some of the UK’s most reputable chefs – Chris’s approach to food remains remarkably grounded. “I want to create dishes that bring a neighbourhood restaurant feel, where people come, have the best time, eat the best food and leave happy,” he says. “I want to create food that people understand, they love and enjoy.”

Chris cut his cheffing teeth at St Austell College, just a short drive from Watergate Bay. He’d spend his weekends on the cross-county 909 bus to Newquay’s surf spots with his board in tow, before heading back to the kitchen in the evening. He’s always known that cooking was where his heart lay. “I dreamt of being a chef when I was 11 years old; three decades later, I still wake up every day loving being in the kitchen.”

After honing his craft in London under chefs Phil Howard, Chris Galvin and Paul Gayler, Chris returned to Cornwall to take up a head chef position at the Driftwood on the Roseland peninsula, where he won his first Michelin star. He retained it from 2012 until the end of his tenure, before moving to Devon for his most recent position at Gidleigh Park. Here, he gained a Michelin star in 2023 for the “balanced, harmonious and rewarding” flavours in his dishes.

“I truly believe that my journey in food has taken me to Watergate Bay. The places I've been, the dishes I’ve created, have all prepared me for this role.”

Now, returning to his home county and assuming the executive chef mantle at Watergate Bay, feels like a defining moment, he says: “I truly believe that my journey in food has taken me to Watergate Bay. The places I've been and the dishes I’ve created have all prepared me for this role.”

When it comes to his new role, Chris is excited to tap back into the wealth of local producers and suppliers that Cornwall offers. For him, the words ‘local’ and ‘seasonal’ are far from buzzwords. “My ethos has always been the same,” he says. “You have to know your suppliers and what they bring to the table. I love to celebrate the West Country’s produce, I'm ready to bang the drum.”

As October swings around and Chris prepares to establish himself as part of the team, he’s mindful of asserting any lofty ambitions. Instead, he’s setting out to evolve with the hotel. Working closely with head chefs Ben Ambridge, Dani Bolton, Nick Giles and Anthony Quinn, and the kitchen teams, Chris is keen to support, encourage, share his knowledge, and help create dishes that guests, locals and visitors will love.

As a Watergate Bay regular himself – bringing the family to The Beach Hut after beach walks for “hefty” hot chocolates – he knows just how much this place means to people. Excited by the range of Watergate Bay’s offer, from the laidback eating, drinking and sharing in The Living Space to the elegant simplicity and knockout views of Zacry’s on the sea wall, he’s keen to step up to the challenge. Chris is set on making sure that wherever you pull up a seat, the dishes are always underpinned by seasonality and the experience will always leave you with a smile on your face

Chris will step into his full-time role in October 2024. One of his first undertakings will be to launch the Zacry’s menu for the autumn season.

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Chris Eden

Born in Cornwall, raised in St Austell, made in London and returned to make his mark on the Cornish food scene: Chris Eden – the first Cornishman to win a Michelin star in Cornwall – takes the helm as Watergate Bay’s new executive chef this autumn.

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