Meet the team
Neil Haydock
As executive chef of Watergate Bay Hotel, Neil oversees all of the hotel’s food offerings including three restaurants - The Beach Hut, The Living Space and Zacry’s.
Inspiration and background
Neil works with a collection of handpicked suppliers and takes inspiration for his dishes from around the world to constantly produce diverse and contemporary menus. Zacry’s shows off Neil’s passion for contemporary American cuisine, whilst The Beach Hut is more laid back with burgers, mussels and seafood. Neil and his team are constantly building on Watergate Bay’s reputation as an outstanding food destination.
Neil’s decision to become a chef was made very early and throughout his career he has retained this passion for local, seasonal foods; seeking out small-scale artisan producers to give his menus a real sense of place.
Raised in Lancashire as the grandson of a gamekeeper, Neil went on to live and work in South Africa for several years before taking on senior roles at a number of highly regarded restaurants, including the Sandy Lane Hotel in Barbados, Terence Conran’s Bluebird in London and most recently, as Executive Chef at Fifteen Cornwall.
Twice in four years, Neil and his team at Watergate Bay were awarded Best Foodie Hotel as voted for by Food Magazine readers.
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Discover our restaurants
Here to dine, or barefoot from the beach? Choose from three different eating and drinking spots.
The Living Space
Sofa, armchair, banquette or ocean-view terrace? Antipasti plates, seasonal salad or hearty fillers?
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The Beach Hut
Laid-back, breezy and modern, The Beach Hut blends considered food and a warm welcome.
More detailsDiscover our recipes
Our Restaurants: Meet Chris
Chris Eden has been busy evolving our food game and reimagining the menus across Zacry's, The Living Space and The Beach Hut. Meet Chris and hear what makes him tick.
Read moreTwelve drinks of Christmas 2024
This year’s Twelve Drinks of Christmas menu serves up a sparkling flavour of the Bay. Find out more.
Read moreBanana Rum Old Fashioned
Warming flavours of winter spices, toasted banana bread and dark chocolate, this take on an Old fashioned features sustainable discarded banana peel rum.
Read moreRemy's Espresso Martini
A Cornish spin on an espresso martini, made with Cornish coffee, vodka, demerara and cognac.
Read moreBlood Orange & Cranberry Fizz
Our Laurent-Perrier sparkling cocktail this year, complete with classic Christmas cranberry and orange flavours. Blood Orange & Cranberry Fizz recipe.
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