Top chef’s arrival signals new chapter for Lilleshall House and Gardens

Lilleshall House and Gardens are incredibly excited to announce its new chef, Mark Bannon!

For the past eight years, Mark has worked with well-known TV cook Anthony Worral-Thompson at The Greyhound in Henley-on-Thames, the restaurant he runs with wife, Jay.

Mark enjoyed his time at The Greyhound, but when his daughter accepted a place at the prestigious Harper and Keele Veterinary School to study veterinary science, he needed to relocate.

Mark explained: “I loved working with Anthony and Jay and The Greyhound team. Anthony, along with Marco Pierre-White are true food heroes of mine and, although I’ve been a professionally trained chef for over 30 years, working with him was like attending the best training college in the world – I learnt so much and have so much to thank him for.

“I’ve really fallen on my feet with this new role. The place itself, Lilleshall, is stunning, and there’s so much potential for growth across the estate.

“This year I’ll be looking to make more of the location, introducing more game dishes into the menu, as there’s an abundance of quality game around here. These will be dishes that local people will have grown up with, but for some reason may have fallen out of favour with modern tastes. I want to bring back some of the classics but give them a twenty-first century twist. I want to intrigue people with my food and get them excited about eating here.

“Our Sunday Lunches are now available to book in our Chapters Restaurant, plus other special events throughout the year - including our special Valentine’s event on 10^th February and our first ever Comedy Night on 24^th February.

“This place is a genuine hidden gem, and I’m very excited about the next chapter in our story.”

TV chef Anthony Worral-Thompson said: “Mark has a great passion for sourcing the best products, he’s inspirational in his menu choices and has a tremendous ability to get the most from his staff.”

We can’t wait to see Mark’s stamp on the menu at Lilleshall House and Gardens, and with a number of exciting events coming up – there will be plenty of opportunity to sample Mark’s work.