Congratulations to Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estateโs Executive Chef Robert Pearce who was named Innovative Chef of the Yearย at the 2025 Meetings Industry Association (MIA) Awards.
Executive Chef Robert Pearce
The accolade celebratesย excellence across the UKโs business meetings and events sector, recognisingย Robertโsย outstanding performance,ย innovationย and service delivery over the past 12 months.
Over the past year,ย heย has launched new concepts that redefine the delegate dining experience, from theย immersiveย Woodland Table, a new outdoor dining concept,ย and interactive canapรฉ workshops toย aย Street Food menu for conferences.
Commitment to sustainability key as Down Hall Hotel wins Innovative Chef of the Year
Hisย commitment to sustainability and zero-waste principles hasย alsoย delivered measurable impact, including a 3% reduction in food costs and elimination of 25 tonnes of general waste through targeted initiatives. Under his leadership, the hotelโs culinary team achieved a 94% staff retention rate and continued to elevate standards across all dining outlets, including the two AA Rosette Garden Room restaurant.
Dining at Down Hall
Linden Beattie, General Manager at Down Hall, comments: โWe are incredibly proud to receive thisย MIA Awardย recognisingย Robertโsย creativity,ย commitmentย and leadership within our kitchens.ย Theย honour reflectsย the passion, teamwork and vision that drives Down Hallย and cements our position as one of the UKโs leading country house hotels for meetings, incentives,ย conferencesย and events.
Down Hall adds the Innovative Chef of the Year to a long list of accolades
Thisย awardย joinsย a growing list of accolades for Down Hall, which includeย four AA Red Stars,ย AAโs highestโฏaccoladeโฏfor hotels;ย AA Hotel of the Year โ Englandย 2024/25;ย Large Hotel of the Year at the East of England Tourism Awards;ย andย LUXLifestyleโsย Best Luxury Country House Hotel & Spa of the Year.
More about Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Resort
Down Hall is one of Englandโs most established country house hotels, located near Bishopโs Stortford on the Hertfordshire and Essex border. Set within 110 acres of woodland, parkland and landscaped gardens, the hotel is conveniently located just 15 minutes from Stansted Airport and less than an hour from central London. The beautiful setting offers the ideal environment for guests to unwind, relax and escape the city.
The hotel boasts a luxury spa, 2 AA Rosette-awarded restaurant and, in May 2019, reopened its standalone West Wing following an extensive ยฃ1.2 million refurbishment. The new extension offers a dedicated space for weddings, conferences, meetings and events. In 2024, the hotel completed its ยฃ1.5 million renovation of its Estate Patio Bedrooms and Suites, Grand Hall, Potting Shed, Fox Bar, terrace and formal gardens.
PA Life’s Editor’s review of Down Hall Hotel can be found here.
