Replacement chef announced for Michelin two-starred Terre in Castlemartyr
Chef Lewis Barker will relocate from Singapore to Cork
The owners of Castlemartyr Resort have responded rapidly to the recent shock announcement revealed exclusively in the that chef Vincent Crepel was stepping down.
Lewis Barker has been confirmed as the new executive head chef/patron of the luxury East Cork hotel’s Michelin two-starred in-house Terre restaurant.
Barker, originally from Leeds, in England, will relocate from Singapore, where he was executive head chef at Sommer for four years and was the youngest chef in Singapore to gain a Michelin Star, just six months after taking over the restaurant — as Crepel did at Terre, gaining a second star the following year. Barker will assume the reins in Terre when Crepel steps down at the end of September.
Barker, who will take over in October, said:
“My aim is to continue to preserve the ethos of Terre, and I look forward to building on that foundation alongside the talented team at Terre with a cuisine that celebrates Ireland’s incredible produce and culinary heritage.”
In addition to his time at Sommer, which is now closed permanently, Barker’s career has also seen him gain experience in some of the world’s most acclaimed Michelin-starred restaurants, including Sommer, Vianney Massot, The Kitchen at Bacchanalia, and Cure in Singapore.
And it would appear the owners of Castlemartyr Resort, Dr Stanley Quek and Peng Loh, approached his hiring with the very clear desire to maintain the standards and culinary sensibility that Crepel established in Terre. Barker’s own style reflects that of his soon-to-be predecessor, classically rooted in French technique yet also influenced by the fusion flavours and cooking experienced during his time in Asia.
General manager at Castlemartyr Resort, Brendan Comerford, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lewis Barker to Terre. In Singapore, he is very well known for his innovation, precision, and artistry and we know he will bring his signature flair to Terre. His creativity will be underpinned by a deep respect for sourcing the finest, freshest ingredients. We are excited to see how Lewis leads the team at Terre as we embark on this exciting new chapter.”
Other than ensuring a smooth takeover of the Terre kitchen while establishing his own template for the restaurant, Barker’s immediate challenge will most likely be to ensure Terre retains its two Michelin Stars, which was the publicly announced target for the hotel’s owners when Crepel first arrived in 2022.
Castlemartyr Resort was bought in 2021 for €20 million by Dr Stanley Quek and Peng Loh, who have an international hospitality portfolio including hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants in Australia, Singapore, China, Britain and Ireland. They bought Castlemartyr Resort in 2012 for €20m, spending a further €8m on upgrades, including the creation of Terre, in the estate’s 17th-century manor home.
Their portfolio also includes Sheen Falls Lodge, in Kenmare, Dublin’s Trinity Townhouse Hotel, and Tulfarris Hotel & Golf Resort in Co Wicklow.
