Mar Hall appoints new culinary team amid multimillion-pound revamp

Mar Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa Resort in Bishopton has made two new senior chef appointments amid a multimillion-pound refurbishment.

The hotel fell into administration in September last year but was saved from collapse three months later by Dubai-based firm Dutco Group and investment and asset management firm Align Partners.

At the time of the purchase, the new owners said £15m had been committed to expand and upgrade the property, with the ambition to create a hotel to "rival world-class resorts such as Cameron House and Gleneagles".

Tony Tapia has been named executive head chef, while Louise Campbell has been named head pastry chef.

Tapia previously worked at the three-AA-rosette Crossbasket Castle in Blantyre and led the menu development at Dakota Hotel Group.

Campbell was at Mar Hall over a decade ago but has returned to oversee the afternoon tea and banqueting offerings at the hotel. She has worked in Scotland for over 30 years and has collaborated with chefs such as Michael Mizzen, executive chef at Hilton Glasgow.

Mar Hall is home to the Cristal Restaurant, which serves seasonal dishes made from Scottish produce, and the Grand Hall, which offers afternoon tea.

The new Clubhouse restaurant is currently under development.

Tapia said: "With the multimillion-pound investment now well underway, this in an incredible opportunity to join the team at an exciting time.

"I'm looking forward to using my expertise to elevate the culinary offering to the next level, putting it on the map as one of the best hotel dining experiences the country has to offer."

David Webster, operations director at Align Partners, the investment and asset management team overseeing the transformation of the hotel, added: "While we seek planning permission to achieve the complete redevelopment across the resort, we are significantly investing in both our product and people to ensure the guest experience is elevated to a five-star luxury hospitality experience.

"Tony and Louise will help us deliver our vision for Mar Hall as a world-class destination resort, and we are incredibly excited for guests to experience the new proposition."

Mar Hall Hotel, Golf & Spa dates back to 1828 and is situated in a 240-acre woodland estate that borders an 18-hole championship golf course.

It was relaunched as a hotel in 2004 and has hosted celebrity guests such as Harry Styles, Brad Pitt and Ed Sheeran.