Russell Hunt Chef's Profile

20th October marks Chef's Appreciation Day, we pause to honour and celebrate the incredible dedication, creativity, and passion of chefs everywhere. Behind every memorable meal is a chef who pours their heart into their craft - balancing flavours, nourishing bodies, and bringing people together through food.

We would like to share the spotlight onto our incredible head chef - Russell Hunt. Highlighting his chef's career with the following chef's profile.

 

 

Russell Hunt didn’t set out to become a chef, it was a path he fell into almost by accident. As a young man who often found himself in trouble, it was his late mother who first steered him toward the kitchen. She spoke to a friend of hers, Stuart Hunt (ironically no relation), who ran a professional kitchen. Stuart took him under his wing, offering guidance, structure, and a new sense of purpose. It’s a gesture he remains deeply grateful for to this day.

Now, with over 27 years of experience behind him, Russell has worked in some exceptional kitchens and alongside some of the industry’s finest talents. His culinary journey began as an apprentice in a small classic French restaurant, attending college on day release while learning the ropes in the kitchen. His mentor, James Hedges, was trained at the iconic La Gavroche under the Roux brothers, a legacy that still influences Russell’s standards and approach.

One of his earliest and fondest food memories is baking hot chocolate fudge cake with his nan in her country pub; a dessert she lovingly made for him every time he visited. That simple, heartfelt connection to food is something he continues to carry into his work today.

His cooking style is ingredient-led, seasonal, and unpretentious. For Russell, the best food starts with what’s in season. He begins by choosing a standout ingredient, then builds a dish around it; always thinking about flavour profiles, texture, and natural pairings. Rabbit is one ingredient he believes deserves far more attention on modern menus, praising its versatility in stews, casseroles, and pies.

Although he doesn’t claim a signature dish, he focuses on delivering food that’s both delicious and memorable. One of the most meaningful pieces of feedback he’s received came during a cook-off, when a guest told him his dish transported them back to happy childhood memories, proof, he believes, of the emotional power of food.

For Russell, the pressure of a busy kitchen is manageable with teamwork, clear communication, and genuine care in the cooking. He leads by example, treating everyone with respect and never assigning a task he wouldn’t do himself. As his career has progressed, so has his leadership style, mentorship and passing on knowledge have become central to his role.

Among his proudest career moments are cooking for the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family, and receiving his own professional accolades - milestones that reflect both skill and dedication.

While his wife Molly takes the reins in the home kitchen (something he happily admits), Russell still enjoys preparing household favourites like risotto, steak, and salads when he gets the chance. And when it comes to guilty pleasures? He’s a self-confessed sucker for a good burger.

He may not make handmade ravioli as often as he once did, but the passion that drew him into the kitchen still drives him today. Whether it’s a fine-dining dish or a hearty plate of comfort food, Russell aims to cook with care, purpose, and joy; always striving to make each meal count.