About the Kings Head Holmbury St Mary

OUR TEAM AT THE KINGS HEAD

Ryan Cain - Head Chef

As a child, Ryan Cain always loved food and developed an interest in cooking at an early age by helping his mother and grandmother in the kitchen. He’s come a long way since he first discovered his love of cooking and he now creates mouth-watering dishes. He most enjoys working on the pass where he can plate food creatively and ensure that every dish leaving the kitchen is of the highest standard.

Ryan enjoys working with local Sussex produce, and is particularly impressed with steak produced in the local area. His preferred time of the year is summer thanks to the vibrant and colourful produce available – his favourite seasonal ingredient is fresh British strawberries.

Andreas - Sous Chef

Andreas had an interest in food from a young age but lacked guidance on how to pursue it as a career. He joined the hospitality industry as a 16 year old waiter in the hopes of meeting a chef that would take the time to help him achieve his goal of becoming a chef. That opportunity came 10 years ago when he met Ryan Cain who gave him the opportunity to prove he had the drive and passion to become a chef.

In the last 10 years working together, Andreas’s love of food has increased more than he could have imagined due to working with fresh and local produce. He worked his way up through the ranks from pot wash to his current position as Ryan Cain’s Sous Chef, earning an AA Rosette along the way.

Callum - Chef de Partie

Callum enjoyed cooking from a young age creating dishes along side his mother in the kitchen. He started his catering career as an apprentice at Ghyll Manor where we first began to learn and use seasonal and fresh produce at a AA-Rosette Standard. Callum is looking forward to continuing on his path of using freshly farmed ingredients from our Garden and earning accolades as time continues.

Katy - Manager

I didn’t think I’d find myself back in the pub trade but here I am again with a great team of people about to open the doors to The Kings Head. I feel I’ve gone full circle after starting out at The Kings Head in Cuckfield many years ago for Jeremy Ashpool, my first full time chefs’ position straight out of catering college. Jeremy gave me the passion for cooking and the grounding for a great career in the industry which has enabled me to travel extensively, cooking in Switzerland, France and Canada.

Once back in England, I worked at South Lodge when Tony Tobin was Head Chef. Then I went back into the pub industry which is when the opportunity of The Chequers at Rowhook came up. This is where my love for front of house started whilst still being able to assist in the kitchen when needed.

After many years at The Chequers, the time came for me to head in a new direction. From looking after bears in Romania to making the most of the snow in the mountains with my passion for skiing with a few varied catering jobs in between.

I now find myself with an amazing opportunity to be back behind the bar welcoming new customers to The Kings Head.

Anastasiia - Head Barista

It all starts with love!… With love for fragrant, hot and invigorating drinks.

I’m Anastasia, a professional Barista since 2012. I graduated from Barista in Odessa, Ukraine.

I know how to choose the right bean and grind, for your favourite drink.

I got into the world of coffee because I needed a job as a student, but this world of coffee immediately sparked numerous colours. It fascinated me and made me decide to study as a Barista.

I had the opportunity to set up a coffee shop creating the menus and writing up manuals so everyone who came to the café would have consistently good coffee.

I then became a Barista teacher for 3 years in a professional educational institution where I taught more than a dozen students at a time.

A Barista is someone who first knows everything about coffee and secondly someone who loves coffee.

I love my work and I’m not afraid to experiment.