Chef News is sponsored by the the Kitchen Porters Club
The Newt country estate in Somerset has appointed Gelf Alderson as Head of Food. Alderson, a highly respected chef and author known for his mastery of modern and traditional British cuisine.
Most recently, Alderson spent 12 years working with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at the River Cottage, where he started as Head Chef, working his way to Culinary Director.
His career is distinguished by creative cooking, simple, seasonal eating, and dedication to sustainable, high-quality produce—principles that earned him a Michelin Green Star for sustainability, aligning perfectly with The Newt’s long-term goals.
In his new role, Alderson is responsible for creating food concepts across all restaurants, retail and eateries at The Newt, working closely with chefs, growers and artisans and collaborating with production teams to ensure seasonality, quality, and consistency in all products.
He will champion an ‘estate first’ approach, spotlighting homegrown, reared and estate-made produce to showcase the Somerset landscape through its cuisine, and share the estate’s unique food story with guests and members through hosting workshops and events.
Additionally, Alderson will support chef recruitment efforts and work directly with HR to develop The Newt’s Chef Academy, nurturing the next generation of culinary talent.
Speaking about his new role, Alderson says – “There was an immediate connection between The Newt’s food philosophy and my own. It was the right time to step into a new role, looking after multiple kitchens and culinary operations again. I still love spending time with chefs, even after two decades in the industry.
“There are not many businesses which align with my food production values, so to find somewhere close to home feels fortuitous. I’m looking forward to showcasing the wonderful producers and artisan skills we have across the estate: not only through the food but with exciting events, education programmes and the best of hospitality.”
Andrew Foulkes, CEO of The Newt in Somerset, added: “We are delighted to welcome Gelf to our senior team. Gelf brings a wealth of previous experience within the industry across numerous hospitality businesses and kitchens, in addition to being a passionate advocate for local sourcing and sustainability.
“He has a strong understanding of The Newt’s ethos and values and I’m confident that our food offering will continue to grow and thrive under his leadership.”
Chef News is sponsored by the the Kitchen Porters Club
