A NEW head chief has been announced by MasterChef judge and Telegraph restaurant critic William Sitwell for his White Hart Hotel, in Wiveliscombe.

Charlotte Vincent is well known in culinary circles for her appearances representing the Westcountry on BBC’s Great British Menu and for her love of fermentation, local produce, and sustainability.

Mr Sitwell said: “Charlotte has a great CV, but, more importantly, a deft and delicate hand in the kitchen.”

Ms Vincent’s background includes a decade working with one of the country’s most respected chefs Michael Caines at the two Michelin-starred Gidleigh Park, set on the edge of Dartmoor.

She also won ‘best chef’ at the Great British Pub Awards, and a place in the semi-finals of the National Chef of the Year competition.

Ms Vincent has also cooked at 10 Downing Street, and for private clients across the UK.

Journalist and MasterChef judge William Sitwell, who now runs the White Hart Hotel, in Wiveliscombe, is an ambassador for Exmoor's visitor economy partnership.
Journalist and MasterChef judge William Sitwell has appointed Charlotte Vincent as his new head chef for the White Hart Hotel, in Wiveliscombe. (Contributed)

Mr Sitwell said Ms Vincent was taking over from Dom Hewitt, who launched the White Hart with him last December and had now moved on as planned.

He said at the White Hart, Ms Vincent would bring her passion for seasonal, locally sourced ingredients to a menu rooted in the best of Somerset’s larder, with the traditions of Italian gastronomy woven through.

Mr Sitwell said: “I am delighted to share our news that we have a new head chef in Charlotte Vincent.

“Dom Hewitt launched the White Hart with me in December and, as planned, has now handed over the reins.

“Charlotte takes enormous care over every plate and is relishing the challenge of bringing out the best of local ingredients using the traditions of Italian gastronomy.

“I am so happy that her food is already a hit with our guests who are returning for more and I am excited to see how she develops our menus in the coming months.”

Ms Vincent said: “I have learned the hard way that you have to cook with intention, not just pace.

“Coming to the White Hart feels like the right next chapter and I am genuinely excited to put my stamp on the menu here.

“Food should feel welcoming and generous, not intimidating.

William Sitwell (pictured) has partnered with Jon Coward to reopen The White Hart.
William Sitwell partnered with Wiveliscombe pub group owner Jon Coward to reopen the town’s White Hart Hotel. (Contributed)

“William has built something really special in Wiveliscombe, a restaurant in an area long on pubs and short on great dining rooms, and the warmth from guests already tells you everything about what this place means locally.

“Somerset’s larder is also unique and I want every plate to reflect that, honest ingredients, cooked with real care, in a place where people feel at home.”

The White Hart restaurant serves dinner Wednesday to Saturday, and lunch on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Mr Sitwell, who lives near Wiveliscombe, partnered with pub group owner Jon Coward, of the Bear Inn, to reopen the White Hart at the beginning of December, 2025, and introduce an Italian theme.

He rebranded it as a smart hotel with 16 individually interior-designed en suite bedrooms and a ground floor re-imagined as a richly interior-designed Italian restaurant, bar, working, and meeting space dubbed ‘Casa Wivey’.