MALVERN’S The Cottage in the Wood Hotel has appointed Gianluca Rizzo as its new food and beverage manager ahead of the 1919 Restaurant & Bar relaunching following extensive refurbishment.
The appointment of Gianluca as F&B manager comes at a pivotal time for the 30-bedroom Holywell Road-based hotel as the first phase of a £2.5 million refurbishment by owners Nick and Julia Davies nears completion.
Refurbishment of the hotel’s 1919 Restaurant & Bar brings back the Georgian glory to the building, including soft greys and stunning nature-themed aesthetics.
Originally from Puglia, south Italy, Gianluca moved to England in 1999 to pursue a career in hospitality, having studied at the prestigious CFP Vallesana hospitality school in Sondalo, Italy.
Gianluca trained with Michel Roux Senior at The Waterside Inn in Bray – one of only four restaurants in the UK to hold three Michelin stars – and this ignited his passion for hospitality.
He has since continued his career in managerial roles in boutique hotels across the UK.
With sommelier accreditation, he also brings expert wine knowledge to The Cottage in the Wood.
And for Gianluca, The Cottage in the Wood holds personal memories as well as offering an opportunity to return to a career in exceptional hospitality.
Speaking after his appointment, he said: “The Cottage in the Wood is where I celebrated my engagement after proposing to my fiancée on the Malvern Hills.
“We sat in the window of the restaurant looking out over the hills, it was a very special moment.
“One of the things I love about working in hospitality is the ability to create special memories for guests and that’s something I’m looking forward to doing at The Cottage in the Wood.
“The hotel is iconic within the region and working with passionate people like Nick, Julia and head chef Mark Redwood, I will be working hard to put it back on the map.
“I hope to bring my passion for food and wine, which comes from growing up in a traditional Italian family with a small family vineyard, to the hotel along with some Italian warmth to create a fantastic atmosphere for guests.”
For further information, visit: www.cottageinthewood.co.uk or call 01684 588860.
