You might recognise Ashleigh Farrand from BBC’s Great British Menu 2025 – the Kingham Plough head chef whose six dishes impressed the judges in the South West regionals?
So what was it like? “Very bright,” she laughs. “and it is so weird seeing yourself on TV. But it was an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful to have been part of that. I left with my head held high.”
‘if there are any young women out there thinking of going into hospitality and cheffing, persevere’
Having become head chef at Kingham Plough aged just 23, Ashleigh is a great role model for any young and/or female chefs who want to go into the industry and says “the industry is changing, so if there are any young women out there thinking of going into hospitality and cheffing, persevere.”
But who is Ashleigh Farrand and how did she land a head chef job at one of Oxfordshire’s most prestigious pubs at such a young age?
‘When I was growing up, and still at school, everyone saw cooking as a hobby’
Having always wanted to be a chef from an early age, Ashleigh pursued her dream, despite often being the only woman in the kitchen.
“When I was growing up, and still at school, everyone saw cooking as a hobby, but I worked in hotel kitchens every spare minute I had,” she remembers.
Having done work experience at five star hotel Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham, Ashleigh was immediately taken on after her A Levels: “I absolutely loved it there. It had a great mix of male and female chefs, which was really unusual at the time, and I chose to go into pastry because I knew I could make a great career of it.”
‘Initially it was absolutely terrifying because The Kingham Plough is such a renowned pub and I was only 23 at the time, but I knew Matt believed in me’
When the hotel was sold, Ashleigh moved to The Slaughters Country Inn, then The Frogmill, honing her skills as she went.
But when covering shifts in the kitchen, Ashleigh realised she also had a real appetite for full cheffing so looked for a job as a sous chef, landing at The Kingham Plough under Jonny Ponds.
‘at the kingham plough we make everything from scratch, from the muffins to the jam, using really fresh, seasonal, local produce’
Matt and Katie Beamish had just taken it on and Ashleigh fell in love with the 17th-century coaching inn. “We made everything from scratch, from the muffins to the jam, using really fresh, seasonal, local produce. It was really exciting and a wholly different challenge,” Ashleigh adds.
Proving herself time and time again, she was still stunned to be offered the head chef job at The Kingham Plough, aged only 23.
“I kept thinking why me? I suppose it was imposter’s syndrome, but then I asked myself why wouldn’t I, and jumped at the chance,” she chuckles.
‘I’d describe my food as modern British with Mediterranean and French influences’
“Initially it was absolutely terrifying because The Kingham Plough is such a renowned pub, but I knew Matt believed in me and I soon found my feet and put my stamp on it.”
So what’s changed? “We wanted to the locals to come back so we’ve reintroduced some classics – steaks, burgers, fish and chips, all with a Kingham Plough twist, while also offering something a bit more ambitious that allows me to flex my muscles,” Ashleigh smiles.
“I’d describe my food as modern British with Mediterranean and French influences, and I love using our indoor BBQ, because flame cooked food tastes so much better.”
Deciding to push herself even further, Ashleigh then entered the South West heats on BBC’s Great British Menu, which is currently airing, cooking six courses and impressing the judges.
Choosing dishes inspired by Agatha Christie, Nell Gifford of Gifford’s Circus, Cheltenham born Gustav Holst and palaeontologist Mary Anning, while Ashleigh wasn’t picked as a finalist (the SW region runs as far as Cornwall) she is immensely proud of her efforts:
“GBM really helped to refresh my creativity, and I want to be able to share that,” she says. Ashleigh has therefore decided to hold a Great British Menu supper club at The Kingham Plough on Feb 27, which will feature all of six courses featured on the TV show.
The Kingham Plough, The Green, Kingham, Oxfordshire OX7 6YD. www.thekinghamplough.co.uk
