National Welsh Chef of The Year Finalist 2024

Carden Park’s Sous Chef Harry Paynter-Roberts has made it as a finalist in the National Welsh Chef of The Year competition. Harry has been a part of the Carden Park chef brigade for just under three years, with an impressive competitive history throughout this time. He was awarded a Gold Medal as Danny Burke’s (previous Culinary Team Wales captain) Commis Chef in the Global Chef’s Semi-Final and a Silver Bronze Medal in The Culinary World Cup. As well as coming 3rd representing Welsh chefs in the much anticipated annual Culinary World Cup – to name just a few of his impressive career accolades so far! Harry recently made his debut as a senior competitive contender in the catering arena securing a finalist position in the 2024 National Welsh Chef of The Year competition

The event’s finale will be held at the International Convention Centre in Newport at the end of January. Harry has had his three dishes approved for the final, where he will need to prepare them for a total of 12 covers. The dishes themselves will be kept under wraps until the big day, however, as per competition guidelines, this will comprise of a creative Vegan starter, Welsh Lamb main and a dessert featuring delicious Denbighshire plumbs. A minimum of six Welsh products will be used within his menu. 

When asked why Harry chooses to compete in culinary competitions, he responded:

“This is the first opportunity to compete at a senior level, after my success doing junior competitions. The team at Carden give me so much support and advice, it gives me a unique advantage being around such talented chefs to guide me in my career. From a personal point of view, I am also motivated by my family. My little boy Noah and partner Chloe – I see this as a way to make them proud, with what I’m achieving”

National Welsh Chef of The Year Finalist 2024

 

Harry went on to explain that he has been practising his dishes at least once a week, asking advice from his peers to carefully tweak his entries based on their feedback. Including Executive Chef Graham Tinsley MBE and Spa Head Chef Sion Hughes who is a regular professional competitor himself. This competition has produced a range of unique seasonal challenges, due to it being a naturally busy time of year at Carden Park, but Harry believes this pressure is something that he thrives amongst. His day-to-day Sous Chef responsibilities often see him having to meet a broad range of dining requirements, making no two days the same and continually enhancing his culinary skillset. Harry also plays a pivotal part in the menu creation of our Cheshire Fine Dining Restaurant; The Vines. He is certainly no stranger to seamlessly taking a dish from concept to reality for Carden Park’s guests. 

Chef Harry faces a tough line-up of ten talented finalists but he is looking forward to the challenge and is confident he has put the time and effort into preparation to give him the best chance of going all of the way. For the successful winner, there is a prize of an engraved Friedr Dick Competition Knife Set, as well as £250 worth of Churchill products. Most excitingly there is the opportunity to attend the Worldchefs Congress and Expo in 2026 hosted by The Culinary Association of Wales. 

The whole team are rooting for you Harry and we are incredibly proud of what you have achieved so far. Update to follow… 


@cardenpark

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🌸 𝓦𝓘𝓝 an incredible spa escape for 2 🌸

Mother's Day is next weekend and to celebrate, we're in the giving mood. This is your chance to treat the mother figure in your life to a perfectly relaxing 𝗦𝗽𝗮 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 2

The prize:
🌿 Morning or afternoon in the spa garden and thermal suite
🌿 Evening meal in either Redmond's Brasserie or The Vines
🌿 Luxurious overnight stay
🌿 Breakfast the following morning

To enter:
✨ Like this post
✨ Follow @cardenpark
✨ Tag who you'd bring
✨ Share to your stories (if you have a private profile just DM us a screenshot)

For a bonus entry, head to our Facebook page

Competition closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 8th March 2026 and the winner will be announced on Monday 9th March. Good luck! 🍀

𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 - 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗪𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁, @𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸

T&Cs
Winner will be chosen at random and contacted directly by @cardenpark on Monday 9th March 2026
Open to UK residents and over 18s only
Prize is a Garden Retreat Voucher for 2 and is valid for 12 months from the date of issue
Prize is subject to availability 
Prize does not include transport to and from Carden Park
Non-transferable and no cash alternative will be given

For full terms and conditions please visit the link in our bio

Competition is in no way endorsed by Instagram, Facebook or Meta
Oh, what a night 🍴🥂🧑‍🍳

Last week's Supper Club in The Vines was a truly spectacular evening. It was an honour to welcome Guy de Rivoire from Champagne Bollinger, who shared his in-depth knowledge of their incredible wines
 and how each glass was perfectly paired with the menu. Our wonderful chefs treated our guests to a journey of flavour, showcasing their exceptional cooking techniques. 

If you missed out on this delicious evening, our next Supper Club takes place on Friday 27th March. Expect another beautiful menu from our Executive Head Chef, Harri Williams, and Head Chef, Cyril Gabriel. Enhance your experience with an optional wine flight created by our Vines team. Tables are limited so book your place now to save disappointment, the link is in our bio 👆

🍽️ The Vines at Carden Park Hotel // Fine dining in Cheshire // 3 AA Rosette restaurants // Where to eat in Chester // Gourmet food // Dining event @champagne_bollinger
Find a little magic just for the mother figure in your life 🪄

From sumptuous dining to sparkling spa experiences, we have everything Mum could need right here 💐

Mother's Day // Spa day in Cheshire // Sunday lunch // Family time // Afternoon tea // Fine dining // Spa treatment // Spa break // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel
Say hello to our 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗮 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 🌿

Welcome the new season in the spa garden as it blooms to life and enjoy an escape away this spring. What's included:
💚 A morning in the spa garden and thermal suite
💚 50 minute Rainforest Ritual treatment
💚 Sarti Spritz or non alcoholic alternative
💚 Overnight stay
💚 Evening meal in Redmond's Brasserie or The Vines
💚 Breakfast the following morning

Book your Spring Enchantment retreat at the link in our bio

🌿 Spring spa day // Spa break // Luxury spa hotel // Spa breaks in Cheshire // The Spa at Carden Park Hotel
Bringing you the perfect newlywed celebration 💒

Imagine beginning your marital journey in our iconic spa. For a limited time only, couples who confirm their wedding with us before the end of this year will receive a complimentary full day spa garden experience for two. Available for couples who book either our Classic or Signature wedding packages.

Learn more at the link in our bio ⬆️

Don't forget to save the date and join us for our next wedding open day 🗓️ Friday 27th February ⏰ 3pm to 8pm 💍

Carden Park Weddings // Countryside wedding // Hotel wedding // Bride and groom // Honeymoon // Mini-moon

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