Gareth Rayner joins Jesmond Dene House in March. He will create a new menu with local ingredients and North East flavors.
Gareth is from nearby Hartlepool. He has worked in fine dining before and earned awards at The Gin Trap. He was also executive chef at Wynyard Hall.
Gareth wants to refresh Jesmond Dene House and bring back fond memories, while also aiming for a modern feel. The new dishes use local ingredients, and the menu will change with the seasons. It will feature North East flavors, as he plans refined, but easy dishes.
Gareth joined Wynyard Hall in 2022. He is excited about this new job and wants to create menus with seasonal food. He will make a great dining experience, honoring the venue’s charm and improving its good name.
The Kronen Collection bought the hotel in 2023. The hotel has forty beds and the price they paid was not revealed. The building is special and old; Sir Andrew Noble once lived there, working with Lord Armstrong. The previous owners retired and sold it.
The Kronen Collection bought another hotel, the Borrowdale Gates Hotel, with plans for better food and experiences. Christina Stephenson spoke about Gareth, saying he is a great addition that will improve guest experiences. She thinks this is a fresh start, bringing back old favorites and adding something new.
Gareth will lead a team of ten people. He also hopes to add to his team to improve the dining experience.