Laurence Webb named head chef at Palé Hall hotel

Laurence Webb has been appointed head chef at Palé Hall hotel in Snowdonia as the property prepares to expand its tasting menu offering.

He replaces Sam Griffiths, who left to take on a head chef role at Upstairs at the Grill in Chester in December last year.

Webb started his culinary career on work placement at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire aged 15.

He returned to the two-Michelin-starred restaurant to spend seven more years under the guidance of Raymond Blanc and Gary Jones.

Webb has since worked at the Royal Mail hotel in Victoria, Australia, and as a private chef for a wealthy family in properties across the UK and abroad.

Since joining Palé Hall, home to the Henry Robertson Dining Room, which holds a Michelin Green Star, Webb has built relationships with local suppliers and strengthened his team with new hires.

He will be updating the à la carte menu with seasonal additions, some of which will be grown from the hotel’s expanded kitchen garden.

In the spring, he will also be launching a tasting menu and a new private dining room featuring a chef’s table offering.

Webb said: “Joining Palé Hall hotel is a unique opportunity to be part of an exciting project, with Tony and Donna’s commitment to transform the hotel into a true culinary destination. It is a special property and the surroundings are breathtaking, discovering local suppliers and planning the kitchen garden with the gardeners has already been very rewarding. I’m excited to showcase excellent Welsh produce and create memorable dining experiences for our guests.”

Owners Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, who purchased the hotel from Angela and Alan Harper in April 2024, added: “Laurence’s appointment is a cornerstone of our vision to elevate Palé Hall Hotel as a premier dining and hospitality destination. His talent and leadership are already making a remarkable impact, and we are thrilled to see how his contributions will shape the future of our hotel.”

The Cooper-Barneys had previously outlined plans to add another restaurant to the hotel, a spa with an organic dining space and potentially extra bedrooms.

Palé Hall hotel also welcomed former Burley Manor and Boringdon Hall hotel alumnus Tom James as deputy general manager, while Vlad Pisarenco joins as food and beverage manager.

The 150-year-old five-AA-red-star country house hotel is set in 50 acres of greenery and offers 18 bedrooms and a three-AA-rosette restaurant. It is believed to have hosted guests including Queen Victoria and Winston Churchill.