Country house venue will transform dining services

A Shropshire private country house wedding and events venue has appointed a new development chef to help transform its in-house catering services.

Iscoyd Park has appointed Gareth Jones who is fresh from the Chester Grosvenor. With an impressive Michelin-trained background, he will join David Cox, who took the position of head chef in 2018.

The experienced duo will allow Iscoyd to fast-track its plans to change the face of events catering, bringing the quality of city venues deep into the countryside.

Both David and Gareth have a strong pedigree working across a number of Michelin and multi-rosette winning establishments, and they will advance Iscoyd Park’s plans to revolutionise weddings and events catering after the decision was made to bring catering in-house. 

Gareth brings 20 years’ experience from some of the best restaurants and hotels in the North West, most recently at The Chester Grosvenor, spending a number of years alongside Michelin-star chef, Simon Radley.  Prior to this, he was head chef of Mr Coopers House and Garden under Simon Rogan, and gained much of his early training at the Michelin Star Arkle Restaurant at The Chester Grosvenor.

Gareth worked his way up from demi chef de partie to sous chef over seven years before moving on to his first head chef role at the 3 AA Rosette Bodysgallen Hall Hotel and Spa. As well as being an excellent and highly experienced chef, he has extensive knowledge in strategic menu development.

He said: “Iscoyd has been on my radar for some time and I am fully behind their ambitious plans. Working alongside David Cox and the team, we plan to develop really exciting menus that will set Iscoyd apart from the rest and continue to build on Iscoyd’s excellent reputation for the food it is producing.  I am really looking forward to this new chapter in my career and it is great to be involved in this journey at Iscoyd.”

Director of Iscoyd Park, Phil Godsal, said: “Our head chef David has a wealth of experience in top establishments (Angler, Fenchurch Restaurant, Sky Gardens, Hibiscus, La Trompette) and has set a high bar since we brought the food in house just over a year ago.

“Gareth’s appointment will help us advance the many exciting developments they have planned for the future whilst maintaining the quality of food for the growing numbers and types of events that we are hosting.

“We have worked really hard over the past eighteen months to ensure that food is at the forefront of our offer at Iscoyd Park. As such, it was essential that we strengthen our offer and continue to drive innovation within the kitchen."

Iscoyd Park, is an 18th-century Grade II-listed Georgian house that has been in the Godsal family since 1843. Phil Godsal took over the running of the house from his father (also called Philip) with his wife Susie in 2009 and began a much-needed restoration project. 

The venue hosts weddings, parties, and celebrations of all types and sizes, as well as company retreats, supper clubs, and Sunday lunches.

Pictured: Gareth Jones at Iscoyd Park