Yorkshire-born Chef Gareth has based himself for many years deep in the idyllic Welsh countryside, where he is Chef Owner of Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms. The restaurant is the most highly awarded restaurant in Wales and was named Best Restaurant in the UK two years running in 2022 and 2023. It has two Michelin stars, five AA rosettes, and ranked in the UK's top five UK restaurants by the Good Food Guide ... who also named Gareth 2019 Chef of the Year. He offers a tasting menu which unapologetically offers no substitutions but promises to deliver. As he says “There are no rules, no guidelines. As long as it tastes amazing then we’ll do it. And that’s what makes us different.” Born and raised in County Durham, Gareth made the move to Wales in 2013 when he was invited by the owners to take over the kitchen at Ynyshir and within a year in his new home, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin Star, and Gareth was named “Chef to Watch” by The Good Food Guide. In 2016 Gareth was offered part-ownership and management of the restaurant and with his long-term partner Amelia Eiríksson, he started to transform Ynyshir, incorporating Gareth’s own ideas in the kitchen and bringing them to life. Then, with Amelia’s background in architecture, the couple set out to redesign the 15th century manor house, in time aligning their interior design vision and creating a space that aligned with Gareth’s menu and their own personal style. Lockdown led to yet more expansion, as it gave Gareth and Amelia time to re-think what they wanted to offer their guests, and then design, build and grow both the kitchen and the rooms, in turn leading to the generation of more income once they reopened. The couple have created something truly unique and authentic at Ynyshir, and in 2022 it was awarded its second Michelin Star, making it the first and only restaurant in Wales to hold this accolade, and at the same time ensuring Gareth’s place amongst the industry’s giants. The recognition inspired the entire team, and Gareth continued to create and evolve. Gareth and his restaurant, and the contributing work of his chefs and Front of House teams, have received numerous awards, and in 2023 alone – whilst continuing to hold his 2nd Michelin star - he was also voted Chef of The Year, by GQ Magazine, Chef of the Year 2023 for Canteen Magazine, Best Restaurant in the UK in The National Restaurant Awards, No 95 in La Liste’s 1000, No 95 in The World’s Top 200, No 3 in Square Meal.