The Black Horse Beamish Welcomes New Executive Head Chef, Dave Wastell

Image Credit: Paige Henderson, Marketing Assistant, Black Horse Beamish

The Black Horse Beamish is delighted to announce the appointment of Dave Wastell as its new Executive Head Chef. With over four decades of culinary experience, Chef Wastell will lead the kitchen brigade across our restaurant, weddings, and events, continuing to build on the strong reputation of our food offering. 

Chef Wastell began his culinary career in 1977 at just 16 years old. Since then, his journey has taken him around the world. He has cooked with the Armed Forces, worked aboard international cruise ships, and earned recognition among some of the most accomplished chefs in the industry. In 2010, he completed the prestigious Master Chef Society course, becoming chef number 615 out of approximately 3,000 — a distinction he carries with great pride. 

His career highlights also include leading the production kitchen for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and, in 2020, travelling across Europe with the Formula One Williams team, bringing his expertise to one of the world’s most demanding sporting environments. 

Reflecting on his career, Wastell says he is proud of the breadth of his experience — but even more so of the opportunity it gives him to mentor others: “I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved, and now I’m able to pass that knowledge on. Training and developing my team is one of the best parts of my job.” 

At The Black Horse Beamish, he is excited to bring fresh ideas, new flavours, and inventive techniques to the menus. “I’m looking forward to experimenting with different dishes, ingredients, and methods – seeing what resonates with our customers and refining what works.” 

Among current guest favourites, he highlights our much-loved Bombardier Pie from the pub menu, as well as the Signature Sunday Lunch, to which he has already brought new ideas and refinements since joining the team on 13 November. 

Above all, his goal is simple: 
“I want guests to feel fulfilled, satisfied, and excited to return.” 

We are thrilled to welcome Dave Wastell to The Black Horse Beamish and look forward to the continued development of our dining experience under his culinary leadership.