Ricki Weston has been appointed Head Chef at Whatley Manor near Malmesbury, Wiltshire.
Working directly under Executive Chef Niall Keating, Ricki has been part of the team at Whatley Manor for over two years, having previously worked at Restaurant Sat Bains. In his new role, he will help oversee all food and beverage offerings at the hotel, including Michelin two-starred The Dining Room, Grey’s Brasserie, room service, afternoon tea, and private dining.
Born and raised in Storrington, West Sussex, Ricki’s career kicked off in 2010 at Whites Kitchen in nearby Steyning as Commis Chef, progressing to Demi Chef de Partie. He then moved to Wabi, a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Horsham, as Chef de Partie (2011-12). Staying in Horsham, Ricki joined the South Lodge Hotel’s brasserie, The Camellia, as Chef de Partie, with Steven Edwards at the helm (2012-14), before moving to the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant Matt Gillan at The Pass as Chef de Partie (2014-15). In November 2015, Ricki was appointed Chef de Partie, then Junior Sous Chef, at Michelin two-starred Restaurant Sat Bains in Nottingham where he spent three years, before joining Whatley Manor as Sous Chef in August 2018. Shortly after joining the team, Ricki took part in the 2019 Roux Scholarship where he was one of 18 young chefs who reached the regional finals of the competition.
Speaking about Ricki’s promotion to Head Chef, Whatley Manor’s General Manager Sue Williams said: “Ricki is a real asset to us – not just as a support to Niall, but in his commitment to sustainability which is at the heart of everything we do at Whatley Manor. It was the right time to recognize Ricki’s dedication and craftsmanship and promote him to his first Head Chef role.”
Ricki enjoys table tennis (and is a former national champion), photography, and growing vegetables on his own allotment. He and his fiancée live nearby with their young son.
