Updown Farmhouse announces return of guest chef series

This spring, Ruth Leigh and Oli Brown of Updown Farmhouse will once again host a guest chef series, delivered in partnership with some of the UK's most exciting chefs.
This year, the hotel and restaurant based in Deal, Kent, will offer one-off menus from Shuko Oda, Jeremy Lee, Dom Fernando and Rose Chalalai Singh.
The 2025 guest chef series
On Friday, 28 February, Shuko Oda from Japanese udon bar Koya will kick off this year's series, bringing a menu that combines Japanese techniques and flavours with seasonal British ingredients. Oda will work with Brown to create dishes inspired by her Japanese roots and global travels.
Jeremy Lee of London's Quo Vadis will bring his British fare to Updown on Saturday, 15 March. His menu will highlight produce sourced in Kent, creating familiar classics with bold flavours.
On Saturday, 26 April, the fiery island flavours of Soho's Paradise will take over the Kent kitchen. With a menu inspired by chef Dom Fernando's Sri Lankan heritage, dishes will combine British and Sri Lankan produce for a contemporary twist on Sinhalese cuisine.
Rose Chalalai Singh of Koyn Thai will round out the series on Saturday, 10 May. Bringing home-style Thai cooking to the rural restaurant in Kent, Singh's menu will reflect childhood memories of growing up in Bangkok, also drawing influence from the North, South and Central provinces.
"We're so delighted to be continuing our guest series and welcome some of our favourite chefs, and friends, to join us in the kitchen at Updown," says Brown.
"The series has been very popular in the past, [among] both Kent locals and visitors, and it gives us and them a chance to experience something unique and exciting. I've been working closely with the chefs on the menus and we can't wait to introduce new flavours of Updown."