Will Holland

Despite being only 30, Head Chef Will has already achieved numerous accolades and awards including a coveted Michelin Star and a prestigeous Acorn Award.  To those who know him this is not surprising as Will’s cooking has always demonstrated that touch of genius since his early training days in Bristol, from where he hails.

Will has always worked in Michelin Starred establishments, beginning his career at Homewood Park Hotel, Bath, where he was appointed by renowned Chef Gary Jones, now Raymond Blanc’s Executive Chef at Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons.  Gary and Andy Hamer inspired Will to develop his talent and focus on excellence.

After three years at Homewood Park, Will spent over three years at Gravetye Manor Hotel, West Sussex, under Chef de Cuisine, Mark Raffan before joining Alan Murchison at L’ortolan in 2004 where Will soon took on the challenge of Head Chef.  In early 2007, Alan Murchison bought Hibiscus restaurant in the foodie Capital of Great Britain, Ludlow and re-opened the restaurant as La Bécasse in July 2007.

This presented Will with the opportunity to really firmly establish himself behind the stoves and stamp his mark.  Just six months after opening, La Bécasse was awarded 3 AA Rosettes.  The awards continued in 2008 and 2009 with “Best Fine Dining Restaurant” (Metro) as well as inclusions in: The Good Food Guide with 6 out of 10 & being listed in their top 50 UK restaurants list; the respected Hardens UK Restaurant Guide and entering the top 100 restaurants in the UK at The National Restaurant Awards.

January 2009 saw Will achieve his much desired ambition of being award a prestigeous Michelin Star.  2010 was a fantastic year for Will, which started with him being named in The Good Food Guide’s list of ten most influential chefs in the next decade.  In addition La Becasse was awarded 19th best restaurant in Great Britain in The Sunday Times Top 100 Restaurants; 44th place in The National Restaurant Association’s Top 100 restaurants in the UK and 48th place in The Good Food Guide’s Top 60 restaurants in the UK 2011.

Will is a familiar face to foodies being a regular guest on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and a finalist on the BBC’s Great British Menu in 2010.