After 25 years of working behind the scenes, Peter Fuchs is finally putting on a public face.

Celtic Manor`s executive chef is moving from the kitchen to the newly created post of food and beverage director, increasing his range of responsibilities and giving him a higher profile with guests at the five star resort.

Austrian-born Peter was appointed executive chef just prior to Celtic Manor`s £100m expansion in 1999. Since then, he has headed up its culinary team and created menus for the restaurants and convention and banqueting facilities.

“The new position means that I now have responsibility for managing both conference provision and all food and beverage outlets - the resort`s four restaurants, Leisure Café and Merlins bar” he said.

“With the new structure, we have now more possibility of achieving our goal to become one of the premier resorts in Europe and improve the customer experience and our efficiency. With such a talented team around me, the sky is the limit.

“After a career in which I have always worked in the kitchens, I am very much looking forward to the different challenge of being front of house, working with customers and improving customer service.”

Peter`s previous posts include that of opening chef at La Victoria Hotel in Mauritius, development chef for a restaurant chain in Dubai and executive chef at the famous five star Sandton Sun and Towers, South Africa.

Since his arrival at Celtic Manor, the resort has won a host of accolades including four RAC Dining Awards and two AA Rosettes for the gourmet restaurant, Owens, which features Celtic Fusion cuisine. Peter also introduced an in-house chefs training program, on which there are currently 11 apprentices.

Chief Executive Dylan Matthews said: “Peter has a wealth of experience in the hotel and restaurant industry and we are delighted that he has accepted the opportunity of stepping up to an even more senior role on the resort`s management team.

“The resources of both catering and beverages and food and beverages will be used with greater efficiency now that Peter has control of the two departments.”

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