Great British Menu finalist Dan Fletcher has been appointed head chef at 28 Market Place, a new West Country restaurant from ex-Soho House director Ben Crofton.
Set to open in Somerton, this autumn, the restaurant will feature a modern British-European menu which will make use of the county’s best produce.
Fletcher is to join 28 Market Place from London’s Sky Garden, where he was head chef. He previously worked at The Kitchen in Edinburgh and under Tommy Banks at the Black Swan, Oldstead.
“I’ve really enjoyed the last few years in London, it’s got such a great food scene and I’ve developed creatively in a way I couldn’t have anywhere else,” said Fletcher.
“It would have taken a lot to pull me away, but as soon as I met Ben and Vanessa I knew that 28 Market Place was the perfect next step for me.
“Working with fresh, local produce has always been key to my food philosophy, and this aligns so well with what they are looking to achieve and the space they’re building.
“Somerton is such a beautiful location, with the on-site bakery, and access to great produce from the surrounding farmers it is so exciting for me as a chef and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
28 Market Place is to be Crofton’s first solo venture, and he’ll launch the countryside project alongside wife Vanessa.
As well as a restaurant, set in a group of Grade II-listed buildings in Somerton, there’ll be a bakery, wine shop, and an ice cream shop.
Said Crofton: “We’re really excited that Dan is joining our team and taking the helm of the kitchen at 28 Market Place.
“Vanessa and I now live in Somerset, and this project is really close to our hearts, so we wanted to make sure whichever chef we chose would be able to bring great local produce to the forefront of everything we do at the restaurant.
“As soon as we met Dan we knew he was the ideal choice. He’s so passionate about letting the ingredients sing and is so creative in his execution of the dishes he produces.
“With his extensive Michelin experience and precision in his cooking, I know he’s going to make a real impact when we open the doors at 28 Market Place later in the year.”
