Darren Brown appointed as The Kitchen’s exec head chef

New Cotswold destination Feldon Valley has appointed Darren Brown as executive head chef of The Kitchen, a new restaurant which will launch in March.

He joins the team from his post as head chef at The Kingham Plough in Oxfordshire, having previously earned a Michelin star at West Stoke House in Chichester in 2008, maintaining the prestigious accolade until the restaurant closed in 2010.

As head chef at The Kitchen, Brown will be responsible for providing a range of catering options from breakfast and the bar menu to lunch and dinner.

As part of his new role, Brown has designed Feldon’s menus based on his experience with a strong focus on local ingredients, both from the region’s supply chain and those grown on site in Feldon’s garden. Dishes will include Paddock Farm hogget loin; Merryfield duck breast; and ricotta dumplings with wild garlic pesto.

Brown said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining the team at Feldon Valley. I’m passionate about local produce and supporting quality local suppliers and this location has a wealth of resources on its doorstep. My new menus will reflect this locality while delivering the all-important dining experience from the extraordinary setting we’re so privileged to enjoy at Feldon.”

David King, general manager at Feldon, added: “We are thrilled to have Darren on board as we open The Kitchen to the local and wider community, and prepare to welcome overnight guests in The Lodges in April. Darren perfectly embodies our ethos at Feldon with his fresh take and enthusiasm for regional ingredients and quality food – we are excited to get up and running.”