Seaton House in St Andrews has named Lee Murdoch as Executive Chef, in a key appointment led by Chef Patron Roy Brett as part of the expansion of Ondine Oyster & Grill at the boutique five-star hotel. it means that Murdoch oversee the hotel’s full culinary offering, which includes The Board Room, Bow Butts Bar and Ondine Oyster & Grill.
The move sees Brett continue to shape the food and beverage direction at Seaton House following the relocation of the award-winning Ondine brand from Edinburgh to St Andrews earlier this year. He was also recently appointed Head of Culinary UK & Europe for Valor Hospitality, the hotel’s management company.
Murdoch joins with an international CV spanning the UK, Asia and the Middle East, including a recent role launching Brighton’s 140-seat steakhouse, The Coal Shed. He previously held senior positions at Scotland’s Turnberry Resort Hotel and trained under industry names such as Stuart Cameron and Ralph Porciani. He is a recipient of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Award for Excellence.
Roy Brett said, “I am delighted to welcome Lee to the team at Seaton House. Ondine has a new home here, and I am very excited to be working alongside Lee in the kitchen and to have the opportunity to nurture his bright professionalism, attention to detail, natural leadership and love for seasonal, sustainable, imaginative and respectful cooking.
“Lee’s passion reminds me of my own formative years in the kitchen, when I was fortunate to learn from chefs like the great Allan Hill, Jeff Bland at The Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh and Rick Stein in Padstow. Like Rick, I’m proud to have played a part in creating an institution and Lee’s expertise will be invaluable in developing and evolving the Ondine legacy here at Seaton House. His return to Scotland feels like such a natural and joyful step for both of us.”
Seaton House General Manager Michael Davern added, “Lee brings an incredible wealth of expertise to our talented team and his innovation and commitment to excellence will have a perfect home at Seaton House.”
Speaking about the new role, Lee Murdoch said, “The opportunity to return to Scotland and work alongside the team at Seaton House is hugely exciting for me, particularly the chance to support Roy in curating our dining experience. I’m especially looking forward to building strong relationships with local food producers to showcase the provenance, the people and the traditions that give this region its unique character.”
Seaton House opened in March and offers 42 bedrooms overlooking the Old Course and West Sands Beach. It was recently accepted into the Small Luxury Hotels of the World portfolio.
