The Chef Hermes Blog

Musical chairs at Lime Wood?

Posted by chefhermes on May 26, 2012 · 1 Comment 

For the past month or so rumours have been rife concerning the country pile run by former Hotel du Vin chief Robin Hutson. First there was the rumoured departure of Hotel Director Justin Pinchbeck which I posted to the social networks

*Latest rumour | ChefHermes : Justin Pinchbeck has resigned as Hotel Director at Lime Wood in Hampshire.

Needless to say this was initially denied by the hotel, but less than 24hrs later it had been confirmed on the mainstream media websites that Mr Pinchbeck would be leaving Lime Wood to be General Manager at The Berkley in London.

Now not to blow my own trumpet, but one of the earliest posts on ChefHermes.com was a rumour that Mark Hix would be taking over the at least one of the food operations at Lime Wood back in early April 2010. After the departure of Mr Pinchbeck rumours started to ooze out of the wood work that remain persistent about the culinary offerings. A source close to the current Executive chef once rang him after hearing some of the rumours, it’s alleged that Mr Holder didn’t really have time to speak, saying

Can’t really talk right now as I’m prepping for the AA tonight, getting inspected for my forth rosette.

This poses me in a quandary, accolades aren’t really Mr Hutson’s bag, and how did Mr Holder all of a sudden become a candidate to be promoted to the top20 restaurants as rated by the AA? Well part of the answer lies in the fact that the AA aren’t as transparent about their grading system as they’d like you to believe. A constant gripe from chefs is the selling techniques of the AA inspectors, praying on their egos to be promoted to three rosettes (which is the crucially prestigious top 10% of restaurants in the UK & Ireland). ‘Consultation’ from the AA inspection team will mean more frequent inspections rather than the once every two years as it currently stands, but also more detailed feedback as to how to achieve the desired accolade.

In recent weeks there has been a torrent of rumours surrounding the food outlets at Lime Wood. There is the ever present rumour that Mark Hix was set to move in to operate the culinary offerings, but ChefHermes.com can exclusively reveal that a senior source in the Hix organisation has refuted this rumour and although the idea was casually floated two years ago, it hasn’t been re-visited since.

Another name that was doing the rounds was former two Michelin star chef John Campbell. Since his departure from the ill feted Coworth Park, Mr Campbell has been busy on various projects, some of which he’s been tweeting about. ChefHermes.com contacted Mr Campbell concerning this rumour and this was his response;

Thanks for the mail, not truth in the noise- not even a sniff!  Not sure were this started but news to me today, flattering!!!

So, not Mr Campbell then! But there is one name which has slipped relatively un-noticed under the radar. A ‘name’ chef which according to sources from within Lime Wood has already been signed up, so expect the press release anytime soon. The chef that is rumoured to have been signed up is the recently Michelin starred chef Skye Gyngell who departed Petersham Nurseries saying;

It’s been a curse. That probably sounds very ungrateful. Since we got the star we’ve been rammed every day, which is really hard for such a tiny restaurant. And we’ve had lots more complaints.

People have certain expectations of a Michelin restaurant but we don’t have cloths on the tables and her service isn’t very formal. You know, if you’re used to eating at Marcus Wareing then they feel let down when they come here.

Miss Gyngell is probably a better fit than either Mr Hix or Mr Campbell, as head honcho Mr Hutson is already an admirer of her deft skill & seasonal food. So much so the sister property to Lime Wood, The Pig (what was The Poussin at Whitley Ridge) already does food loosely based on Miss Gyngell’s. So there you have it, Miss Gyngell rumoured to be announced within the coming months at Lime Wood.

Lime Wood,

Beaulieu Rd,

Lyndhurst,

Hampshire,  SO43 7FZ

T: 023 8028 7177

F: 023 8028 7199

Email [email protected]