Chef Nick Bennett is leaving the Sudbury House hotel in the Cotswolds this October.

Bennett joined the hotel in 2014 and alongside then executive chef Andrew Scott became head chef of Restaurant 56 in 2016. The fixture won plaudits aplenty.

Scott departed in January and Bennett and the hotel instead launched Magnolia restaurant as a more informal, though equally appreciated, dining space, while Restaurant 56 switched focus to afternoon teas and private functions.

Bennett announced his departure on Twitter, where he said: “I have achieved some amazing things at Restaurant 56 alongside Andrew Scott and the team. I was a finalist in Masterchef: The Professionals and I also met my wife here and began raising our son Maeson, with another baby on the way.

“The time has come for a new start, with fresh and exciting challenges, which will push my career further forwards. It’s time to get back to the kitchen environment I enjoy and cooking the food I love.”

He added: “I wish the team at Sudbury House hotel the best for the future and it will always have fond memories in my heart.”

Bennett, who reached the final round of the Beeb’s MasterChef: The Professionals show in 2015, said he will announce his future plans soon.