Winchester: New head chef for Lainston House

Olly Rouse has been appointed head chef at the Lainston House hotel in Winchester, part of the Exclusive Hotels group. 

The move was announced by Exclusive Hotels' managing director Danny Pecorelli.

Rouse was previously head chef at John Campbell at Coworth Park, where he helped to win a Michelin star and three AA rosettes. Prior to that he worked at the Vineyard at Stockcross as sous chef and Pétrus under Gordon Ramsay Holdings, as well as Le Meurice and the Fat Duck.

Commenting on the move, Rouse said: “Lainston House has everything I've been looking for in a property. I cannot wait to work with the team and grow our food philosophy in a really natural way.

"Our surroundings will be our inspiration to drive the food in the restaurant. We will embrace our kitchen garden and set out to utilise all it produces, with interesting combinations created to intrigue and give the feel-good factor. Diners can expect dishes that are complex in flavour and texture, with simple yet elegant presentation. We will be using many old and forgotten techniques and the very best of British ingredients to produce dishes that will take health and the environment into consideration.”