AN HOTEL boasting stunning panoramic views across Worcestershire and the Cotswolds has appointed a new head chef for its two AA Rosette restaurant.

The Cottage in the Wood, Malvern Wells, which originally opened as a tea rooms in 1919, has brought in Gloucester-born Mark Redwood to run the kitchen.

Mark was previously the head chef at the former ferry pub and now fish restaurant the Old Passage on the banks of the River Severn in the village of Arlingham, Gloucestershire.

He has worked in some prestigious restaurants including six years at Sir Christopher Wren’s House in Windsor, three years as head chef at the Painswick Hotel in Gloucester and, most recently, 10 years as head chef at the Old Passage in Gloucester, where he gained two AA Rosettes for the restaurant.

His appointment comes as the business, owned by Nick and Julia Davies since last summer, prepares to launch a major refurbishment of the restaurant which is due to start in January and marks the first phase of a £2.5 million investment by the owners.

Mark is a champion of local produce and supporting local producers and, while the 1919 Restaurant is closed for refurbishment in January, Mark will be out with his team of four chefs meeting suppliers and discovering the ingredients available on their doorstep.

Mark said: “With Nick and Julia’s plans for the refurbishment of the restaurant, this is an incredibly exciting time to be joining the team at The Cottage in the Wood and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in and creating menus that will match the modern and vibrant new 1919 Restaurant.

“I want to help put The Cottage in the Wood on the map as a real foodie destination. The restaurant will have a relaxed atmosphere and be welcoming to all, focused on local produce and ingredients with amazing flavours.”

The hotel’s two AA Rosette restaurant is known for serving fresh, local produce from Malvern, the Cotswolds and Herefordshire, as well as vegetables and herbs grown in The Cottage in the Wood’s own gardens.

For further information, please visit: www.cottageinthewood.co.uk or ring 01684 588860. During the restaurant refurbishment, the hotel which has 30 bedrooms spread across the main house, the Coach House and Beech Cottage will still be open to guests wanting bed and breakfast.