Budock Vean Hotel & Spa Welcomes New Head Chef Dale McIntosh

Budock Vean Hotel & Spa, located on the Helford river near Falmouth announced the appointment of MasterChef: The Professionals quarter-finalist Dale McIntosh as Head Chef, bringing extensive experience, a passion for Cornwall’s exceptional produce and a clear vision for the future of dining at the hotel.

Dale joins Budock Vean following more than eight years at Gylly Beach Café in Falmouth, where he helped develop a successful fine dining evening menu, themed dining events and a popular summer seafood and barbecue offering.

In 2016, Dale reached the quarterfinals of BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals, progressing to the final 12 chefs from an original field of 48 competitors from across the UK. He is also well known on Cornwall’s food scene, having appeared at culinary demonstrations and festivals across the county, including opening the 21st Falmouth Oyster Festival.

Born in Kent and now based in Mid Cornwall, Dale has worked at a number of respected restaurants, hotels and gastropubs throughout his career, including Merchants Manor Hotel, Bustophers Bar Bistro and The Pandora Inn.

His cooking is rooted in Cornwall’s natural larder, with a particular focus on game, fish and shellfish. He previously won the Cornish Challenge with a locally sourced seafood dish judged by Michelin-starred chef Nathan Outlaw.

At Budock Vean, Dale is keen to make the most of the hotel’s estate-grown and foraged ingredients while developing a menu centred on quality, seasonal produce and confident, uncomplicated cooking.

Dale remarked: “Cornwall has one of the finest natural larders in the UK and Budock Vean is uniquely placed to make the most of it. We have produce growing in the grounds, ingredients we can forage locally, and fantastic fish, shellfish and game on our doorstep. My aim is to create honest, confident dishes that showcase those ingredients at their best and give guests a dining experience they’ll remember for the right reasons.”

The appointment marks an exciting new chapter for the hotel’s food offering, with Dale working closely with the kitchen team to further enhance Budock Vean’s reputation for relaxed, high-quality dining that celebrates the best of Cornwall.