Richard Dewey, who joined the Billesley team eighteen months ago, has always been passionate about cooking. He started out watching cookery shows from a young age with his mum and grandma, and knew even then that working with food was his calling. 

Day-to-day, he comes in early to manage the emails and admin side, as well as read reviews from the previous day, before the rest of the team joins him and the magic can begin!

Together, they work hard to design delicious, seasonal menus and create an array of mouth-watering dishes to serve across each of our dining spaces. Richard said, “I love being in the kitchen, creating locally-sourced, new dishes along with my amazing kitchen team.”

Here at Billesley Manor, guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea in The Stuart Restaurant, The Great Hall Bar and Lounge, The Drawing Room, or outdoors in our Garden and Terrace. 

We also cater for a range of hotel events, such as weddings, birthdays, and conferences. This offers plenty of diversity for those working in hospitality; one day you could be serving drinks to a newly-engaged couple, the next, waiting on a large wedding breakfast.

At Billesley Manor, we have a strong focus on sustainability, using fresh, local ingredients and produce where possible. 

We have our own kitchen garden, growing a selection of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, adding an extra special element to our menus, whilst reducing our carbon footprint — a great incentive for learning and exploring creativity for all those working in the kitchen!

Hotel careers are often versatile, sociable and diverse experiences, offering a range of valuable opportunities for upskilling and learning. 

Richard’s journey has been a long and varied one to get to where he is today, and he strongly recommends that anyone looking for a new career gives hospitality a try. 

He said, “Whether you’re looking to craft exquisite cocktails, design intricate dinners, maintain the beautifully landscaped grounds, liaise with potential and existing customers, or manage the upkeep of the hotel’s pristine bedrooms, there are plenty of roles to suit all abilities and desires. 

“The wonderful thing about working in hospitality is that there are so many different avenues, that you don’t have to be tied to one path. You could start out as a waitress, and progress to a chef position, if you so wish!

“Once you’re in a role you love, you’re then able to progress and develop; Billesley Manor is great when it comes to personal and professional development, and offers plenty of courses and training — as well as hands-on experience — to help you grow.”

Has Richard inspired you to explore a career in hospitality?

Discover our fantastic hotel careers and opportunities by exploring our current vacancies or, to speak to someone further, please contact a member of our team on  +44 (0) 1789279955, or email reservations@billesleymanor.com.

Alternatively, why not read our previous blog to discover more about our afternoon tea experience in Stratford-upon-Avon?