Member Info
The View at Courtyard are delighted to announce Matt Mason as their Executive Chef at The View Restaurant. He is excited to bring his family with him on this new journey and looks forward to furthering his culinary expertise and contributing to the success of the establishment, while continuing to champion the use of local, seasonal produce.
Born and raised in Devon during the 1970s, Matt’s passion for culinary arts was inspired by the self-sufficiency of his parents’ allotment. This early experience instilled in him a philosophy of utilizing Devon’s abundant larder and the finest seasonal produce, a principle that continues to guide his cooking today.
Matt began his professional journey under the mentorship of Shaun Hill at Gidleigh Park. In 1995, he assumed leadership of the kitchens at the Jack in the Green. Within a year, the establishment earned 2 AA rosettes, an accolade it maintained throughout Matthew’s tenure. The Jack in the Green achieved, being voted 5th in the UK’s 50 Top Gastropubs in February 2011 and 60th in the UK’s Top 100 Restaurants in October of the same year. Additionally, the pub won The Western Morning News Reader’s ‘Favourite Restaurant’ Award in November 2011. In February 2016, the Jack in the Green published its first cookbook, featuring Matthew’s recipes and local produce. After more than 25 years at the Jack in the Green, Matt took on the role of head chef at Winslade Manor.
Matt’s commitment to culinary education extends beyond the kitchen. Since 2007, he has partnered with West Hill Primary School to teach children about freshness, food miles, and seasonality. In the same year, Matt won the Professional Class in the South West Chef of the Year and was named ‘Devon Chef of the Year’ by the readers of Devon Life. Among his many accolades, in 2010, Matt was invited to join the prestigious Master Chefs of Great Britain.
