Dave Watts joins Kings Head, Cirencester, as executive chef

The Kings Head in Cirencester, the new hotel which launched five months ago under the management of the Vineyard Group, has appointed Dave Watts as its new executive chef.

Watts replaces Wayne Sullivan, who joined the 45-bedroom hotel a year ago and oversaw its opening in September. He joins the hotel, owned by property developer Mark Booth, from Coworth Park, where he was executive sous chef for four and a half months.

Watts has previously held head chef roles at the Star Inn in Sparsholt, Oxfordshire; Hurst House, Laugharne, Carmarthenshire; and Cotswold House hotel, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire. In the latter role he was named as the ‘Chef to Watch' by the Good Food Guide in 2012.

Speaking on his appointment, he described the Kings Head is "a fabulous property bursting with character and charm".

"I am really keen to get stuck in and lead the team in creating tasty, uncomplicated food for hotel and restaurant guests to enjoy at any time of the day. There are many great restaurants in Cirencester and I'm looking forward to getting the Kings Head firmly on the restaurant map."

Watts will oversee the menu in the restaurant menu and the adjacent Corn Hall, which is lined to the Kings Head to provide extensive banqueting space.

The Kings Head reopened following a seven-year renovation project which revealed a Roman mosaic, now displayed beneath glass flooring in the reception area.

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