He spent 20 years with the Fat Duck Group during which time The Fat Duck won a third star with him as head chef. He also opened Dinner by Heston which won two more. Now Ashley Palmer-Watts is getting ready to open a restaurant that's all his own.
However, as befits a chef with that kind of top-level background, he's not just opening one restaurant he's opening a cluster of them. Palmer-Watts has taken over The Garden Cobham in Surrey which he's turning into a high-end restaurant, wine bar, cafe and bakery. All of which are going to be serviced by the site's own historic walled kitchen garden.
The site's been hosting pop-ups and residencies over the past few years but under Ashley's ownership there will be a restaurant seating 35, a large wine bar and a garden terrace. There are also plans to open accommodation too for any Londoners who visit and want to stay the night.
"It’s an incredible location," says Ashley, "and with food history being of such interest, particularly in recent years, to be able to bring life back into the walled garden and reimagine it with a collection of food experiences is a dream come true for me."
Given his background this is going to be one out-of-town opening that Londoners are going to want to pay attention to.
More about The Garden Cobham
Where is it? Downside Rd, Cobham KT11 3LU
When does it open? Spring 2024
Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @the_garden_cobham
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