Meet The Team Behind Matfen Hall: Cheryl Radwell

Meet Cheryl Radwell, our talented Sous Chef, a valuable asset in serving the five-star dining experience our guests know and adore. In this special edition of Tales From Our Estate, Cheryl speaks to us about how began her career in the kitchen, her favourite dishes on the menu and her very own dream Matfen Hall wedding!

How long have you worked in the hospitality industry, and how did you get started?

“My career in hospitality began in 2007, working as a member of Front of House. Upon realising that this just wasn’t the role for me, I took on a new position in the kitchen washing pots. Along the way, I picked up a few tips and tricks to improve my culinary skills and naturally began to progress onto a chef’s position. I joined Matfen Hall as Sous Chef in 2018 and haven’t looked back since”.

What does a typical day in the kitchen look like for you?

“My day typically begins around 11am. If we have an event, I’ll begin the day’s preparations to ensure everything runs smoothly, but on a normal day, I work alongside the rest of the team to deliver our Lunch and Dinner service, serving dishes such as Salt and Vinegar Tempura Cod and Roast Fillet of Locally Sourced Beef in the Emerald Restaurant.

Evening service runs between 6pm until around 9pm, then it’s time to clean before heading home.”

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

“I enjoy teaching our junior members of staff and watching their skills progress as they become more confident in the kitchen.”

What’s one special memory you have of your time at Matfen Hall?

“I got married at Matfen Hall in 2021, so naturally, this will always be my special memory of the place.”

Where’s your favourite spot within Matfen Hall?

“My favourite spot is 100% the Great Hall – every detail from the beautiful vaulted ceiling to the stained glass window is simply stunning!“

What would you recommend that’s currently on the menu?

“My personal favourite is the Rhubarb and Custard Soufflé with Rhubarb Sorbet, if you haven’t tried it yet, I fully recommend it.”

What do you enjoy outside of work?

“Outside of work I enjoy going out for food and drinks with family and friends, you’ll often find me at the football too.”

If you could switch roles for the day, what would you do?

“I would love to be a Wedding Coordinator for the day, just so I could see how things are organised from a different angle. We’re always so busy prepping canapes and the wedding breakfast for guests to enjoy, but I think it would be great to get an insight into how our other departments deliver our five-star experience”.