Bath Spa Hotel, part of the Macdonald Hotels & Resorts group, has appointed Alex Manger as restaurant head chef.
Alex, who brings more than 12 years of culinary experience to the five-star hotel, has honed his skills as a professional chef at luxury venues and restaurants across the UK.
Having started his career at the Park Tower Hotel in London’s Knightsbridge district before relocating to Guernsey, seasoned Macdonald Hotels chef Alex has honed his skills over the past decade across the hotel group, holding the position of sous chef at The Compleat Angler in Marlow before moving to The Bear in Woodstock as head chef.
In his new role as restaurant head chef Alex, who joined Bath Spa Hotel from his most recent position at the Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Restaurant in Evershot, Dorset, will lead the hotel’s nine-strong chef team, designing menus which creatively fuse traditional and contemporary English cooking.
Alex’s appointment follows the hotel’s Vellore Restaurant being awarded two AA Rosettes for Culinary Excellence last October.
Once the magnificent ballroom of the original house, Bath Spa Hotel’s Vellore Restaurant is now an elegant dining room with the capacity to seat 80 covers. Additional tables are also available to reserve under a canopy on the outdoor terrace within the hotel’s picturesque seven-acre gardens.
Vellore is open daily for à la carte dinner reservations, as well as the chef’s five-course tasting menu with canapes to start and coffee with petit fours to finish.
Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea in the hotel’s drawing room, or an aperitif in the Colonnade Bar.
Alex Manger, restaurant head chef at Bath Spa Hotel, said:
“The commitment to excellence at Bath Spa is second to none, and my vision is for the hotel to be known as the go-to destination for fantastic food and exceptional service in the city. I look forward to working with the team to build on its already excellent reputation.”
Raj Chakraborty, regional general manager at Bath Spa Hotel, said:
“With an impressive career and a reputation as a passionate and creative chef, Alex’s culinary knowledge and expertise will help us continue to create wonderful experiences for guests.”
Our Verdict
We were invited to visit the hotel for dinner this summer. When it’s hot, guests dine out on the terrace at the Colonade bar instead of Vellore. Colonade has been revamped to create a stunning verandah effect, with large potted vines, pillars and moody lighting that overlooks the view of the grounds and Bath beyond. The space, with its greenery, sits comfortably in its Georgian surroundings with a slight touch of Art Deco chic.
Highlights of the à la carte menu include a perfectly prepped beef sirloin with a delicate miso custard, a meaty duo of rabbit with hash brown, a deconstructed dark chocolate ‘Millefeuille’, and their homemade bread and butter (really, trust us!).
On top of the food and the aesthetic of Colonnade, the restaurant team, who seem genuinely happy to be there, are clearly dedicated to making the experience special for each and every guest. If you’re visiting Bath for the day and are looking to end your trip with a serene meal overlooking the city, then this might be just the ticket.
