Scott Andrews and Tom Hine to head up management of Michael Caines's new hotel
Chef Michael Caines has announced the two key members of the team to head the opening of his new Devon country house hotel, which he intends will be "relevant for the next 21 years".
Scott Andrews has been appointed general manager, while Tom Hine will become group executive chef of the 21-bedroom Lympstone Manor, near Exmouth, Devon, which is expected to opened in spring 2017.
Both appointees have a history of working with Caines (pictured), who left Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon, where he was executive chef of the two-Michelin-starred kitchen for 21 years, in January.
Andrews has recently spent 18 months in Jersey as hotel manager of the Atlantic hotel, having previously worked for nine years at Gidleigh Park. At Gidleigh, he worked his way up from assistant restaurant manager to acting general manager. Earlier experiences included stints at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Whitley Ridge (now the Pig), Parkhill (now Lime Wood) and working as a lecturer at Exeter College School of Hospitality and Catering.
Meanwhile, Hine began his career at Rick Stein's Seafood restaurant in Padstow, Cornwall, before moving to Bath, initially at the Royal Crescent and then at the Bath Priory hotel. In 2010 Hine joined Gidleigh Park as junior sous chef, before moving to his first executive chef position at Michael Caines at Abode Chester. He was appointed head chef at the Coach House at Michael Caines at Kentisbury Grange hotel, near Barnstable, Devon, in 2015. At Lympstone, Caines and Hine will oversee a 60-seat restaurant.
Caines said that Andrews and Hine will play a key role in providing the "ultimate luxury country house experience" to the future guests of Lympstone Manor.
"Their passion and enthusiasm for the project is fantastic, and I trust that guests will love both the personal service that Scott brings and the innovative dishes that Tom and I will be creating," he added.
Caines, who has been inspired by US retail design company Restoration Hardware, has spent considerable time on ensuring that the hotel will be equally glamorous, dramatic and contemporary. "I looked at 17 interior designers and interviewed seven to find the company that understood the vision I have for the hotel," he explained.
The chosen designers are Maria Constantinou and Eris Koutsoudakis of Meraki Design, who have previously worked on the Mill at Sonning Bar, near Reading, and the Boardwalk serviced apartments in Canary Wharf, London.
Located in a Georgian mansion, which is currently being transformed and extended from the former wedding and events venue Courtlands House, the property overlooks the River Exe estuary. The locality will feature in the interior, with the bedrooms named after estuary birds and 53 bird-related paintings commissioned from Devon artist Rachel Toll.
Fifteen of the 28 acres of grounds are being cultivated as a vineyard.
In addition to Lympstone Manor, Caines oversees the food and beverage operations at the Coach House restaurant at Kentisbury Grange hotel and Palé Hall hotel, Llandderfel, Gwynedd. He also creates menus for the Williams Formula 1 racing team.
Renovated Palé Hall opens its doors >>
Michael Wignall to replace Michael Caines at Gidleigh Park >>
Michael Caines to leave Gidleigh Park in January >>
