Savouring the season: An interview with Head Chef Matt on the inspiration behind our new menu

Can you tell us a little about your role and what a typical day in the kitchen looks like?

I’m Matthew and I’m the head chef at The Odney Club. I’ve worked in the partnership for 16 years now and there's no such thing as a typical day in the life of our kitchen team. But, that's what keeps us working here! Everyday is different. Deliveries arrive throughout the day and I enjoy working with a huge variety of fresh ingredients to create dishes inspired by what’s in season. We always aim to prioritise local produce where we can.

Which dish from the new bar menu is your favourite, and what makes it stand out for you?

My favourite dish is the teriyaki salmon, inspired by my time travelling through Asia and learning about their cooking styles and techniques. Since salmon hadn’t featured on any of our menus before, I wanted to introduce it to our offering. With Asian cuisine being so popular, this dish now gives our Partners and guests an authentic taste of Asia here at Odney.

What inspired the recent menu changes? Were there any particular themes or influences behind your choices?

Our current focus is growth and innovation. As we continue to build our team, we’re strengthening our ability to level up and adapt our offering. The knowledge and creativity within the team allow us to experiment with our menus, explore new ideas, and reduce waste. We know our guests well and are committed to giving them the best experience possible. New flavours and classic techniques bring the best of both worlds.

Do you have a dish you enjoy cooking at home that you would like to see featured on the Odney menu?

We’re already planning the next bar menu. In the past, we only launched one menu each year, but now we’re moving towards a seasonal approach. At the moment, we’re focused on autumn and winter dishes. For me, it has to be baby back ribs! I love a well seasoned rack of ribs and when it hits that autumn time, it's going to be the highlight of our menu.

Thank you, Matt!

We’re excited to bring you more conversations with our chefs, offering a behind the scenes look at the creativity and passion that inspire every dish at Odney.

Stay tuned for more stories and menu highlights.