Ashley Palmer-Watts to leave Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck group after 20 years

Ashley Palmer-Watts has announced he will leave Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck group after 20 years with the business.

Palmer-Watts said: "After 20 incredible years, it is time for me to move on from Bray for a new chapter and to take on fresh challenges.

"I will initially be spending some time with my family as I prepare for the new and exciting journey ahead.

"I am eternally grateful for the knowledge and memories I have gathered working with Heston and the group and would like to thank all the brilliant people past and present that have made the last 20 years nothing short of extraordinary.

"I wish everyone continued success for the future and I am very proud to have been part of the magic of Heston's world."

Palmer-Watts' two decades with the group culminated in him leading the team at the two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental London Hyde Park as executive head chef. He had initially joined the Fat Duck in Bray in 1999, progressing to take the position of head chef of the three-Michelin-starred restaurant in 2003.

A spokesperson for the Fat Duck group said: "After 20 incredible years with the Fat Duck group, Ashley Palmer Watts has decided that the time is right for him to move on to other challenges.

"Ashley has been an invaluable member of Heston's team over the years; he has been and remains very proud to have been part of Heston's world. He leaves with the very best wishes of everyone at the group. We hope he will go on to great success in his future career."

Dinner by Heston Blumenthal opened in 2011, achieving two Michelin stars within two years.

Photo credit: Alisa Connan