Retirement beckons for longest-serving Holiday Inn chef

The longest serving member of the Holiday Inn Bristol-Filton is being treated to a retirement party tomorrow.

The party, which was organised by fellow employees, comes two years after the chef celebrated a record 45 years of service with the UK & Ireland managed estate.

Roger Wright, who leaves his role of head chef, began his career in 1963, at the age of 15 when he started work at Hunt Edmunds Brewery in Banbury, Oxfordshire. He followed this with time at The Crown in Banbury where he was made head chef by the time he reached his twenties and other roles including opening the Crest Hotel in Walsall.

His career reached a climax when Esso Petroleum Company built what is now known as the Holiday Inn in Bristol-Filton and after the company's acquisition by Bass-Carrington, Wright joined in 1973 as deputy head chef and after just one year was promoted to head chef.

During his career, Wright has trained many young chefs and enjoyed achievements including being appointed regional head chef in 1999 and cooking for famous people including Princess Anne and Edward Health.

Words: Georgiana Ndlovu

« Back to previous page