Head chef

Sam Moody
Head Chef

Sam started his career as a chef at the age of 16, working part-time in a local hotel, whilst also studying Catering at Sussex College. Aged 17 he then started his first full time job, working in the kitchens of Ockenden Manor Hotel, when after a year’s hard work under the direction of Head Chef Steve Crane, the team won a Michelin star. Sam stayed at Ockenden Manor Hotel for further two and a half years, enjoying the experience of working in a Michelin star kitchen and learning what the expectations were in such an environment, and then at the age of 20 he decided it was time for a new challenge. This ambition and desire to expand his knowledge took Sam to the famous two Michelin star kitchen at Gidleigh Park. It was a big step up in his career and for the four years Sam was there, he worked his way around all the sections of this fabulous hotel, learning the importance of the every little detail and the basis of what makes good food.

In early 2009 a new challenge arrived for Sam when Michael Caines MBE, Executive Head Chef at Gidleigh Park, also took over the kitchens at sister hotel The Bath Priory and appointed Sam as his Sous Chef. In September 2009, after proving himself to be of the highest standard, Sam was promoted to Head Chef. He says “this has truly been the biggest and most rewarding challenge of my career thus far - food and cooking are my life”.