The award winning team behind the Jack in the Green is pleased to welcome one of Devon’s most accomplished and experienced chefs to its latest venture.
Ian Webber, previously Head Chef at the two Michelin starred Gidleigh Park for 6 years and Executive Head Chef at Abode Exeter since January, has joined us to head up the kitchen team at The Five Bells.
Ian who lives in Honiton began as Head Chef on November 27th. He has worked directly under Michael Caines MBE since 2006 after winning the Taste of the West ‘South West Chef of the Year’ competition in the same year.
In his own words, “Gidleigh is deservedly well known the world over for its food and warm hospitality. In fact it has just been named Britain’s Best Restaurant in The Sunday Times Food List. Our success came through dedication, strong leadership and a meticulous eye for detail. I ran a brigade of 24 chefs and as a team we were constantly striving for that extremely rare third star from Michelin.
My passion will always be cooking. Joining Chris and the team at the Five Bells is a brilliant opportunity to balance family life with work, approach cooking from a slightly different and more hands on perspective and, at the same time, help to extend the reach of good food and good hospitality to a wider audience.”
Chris concludes, “Our focus is firmly on real ales, good honest food and cheerful, professional hospitality. Ian joining us is terrific - chefs of his calibre really have the pick of any top restaurant in the country. As individuals our outlooks are pretty similar which should make for a very productive working relationship. With this the latest chapter in the Five Bells’ long proud history, Ian will have a relaxed outlet where he can pursue a more informal style of cooking and start a new chapter himself.”