Luxury Essex property named for Innovative Chef of the Year
Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate’s Executive Chef Robert Pearce was named Innovative Chef of the Year at the 2025 Meetings Industry Association (MIA) Awards held last night (6 November).
The accolade celebrates excellence across the UK’s business meetings and events sector, recognising Robert’s outstanding performance, innovation and service delivery over the past 12 months.
Chef Robert Pearce
Over the past year, he has launched new concepts that redefine the delegate dining experience, from the immersive Woodland Table, a new outdoor dining concept, and interactive canapé workshops to a Street Food menu for conferences.
His commitment to sustainability and zero-waste principles has also delivered measurable impact, including a 3% reduction in food costs and elimination of 25 tonnes of general waste through targeted initiatives. Under his leadership, the hotel’s culinary team achieved a 94% staff retention rate and continued to elevate standards across all dining outlets, including the two AA Rosette Garden Room restaurant.
Linden Beattie, General Manager at Down Hall, comments: “We are incredibly proud to receive this MIA Award recognising Robert’s creativity, commitment and leadership within our kitchens. The honour reflects the passion, teamwork and vision that drives Down Hall and cements our position as one of the UK’s leading country house hotels for meetings, incentives, conferences and events.
This award joins a growing list of accolades for Down Hall, which include four AA Red Stars, AA’s highest accolade for hotels; AA Hotel of the Year – England 2024/25; Large Hotel of the Year at the East of England Tourism Awards; and LUXLifestyle’s Best Luxury Country House Hotel & Spa of the Year.
