Luke Selby Joins Palé Hall as Chef Partner
- James Massoud
- Oct 23
- 3 min read
Michelin starred chef Luke Selby is heading to North Wales to begin a new chapter as Chef Partner of the five-star Palé Hall Hotel, near Bala. Starting January 2026, Selby will lead the hotel’s entire food and beverage direction, oversee its neighbouring Bryntirion Inn, and drive a vision that celebrates Welsh provenance, community, and world-class hospitality, positioning North Wales firmly on the international culinary map.
A New Era
When one of Britain’s most respected young chefs trades the honey-stone walls of Oxfordshire for the untamed beauty of Snowdonia, it signals something significant. Luke Selby, currently Executive Chef at Raymond Blanc’s Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, is set to become Chef Partner at Palé Hall Hotel, a five-star Relais & Châteaux property nestled on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
His appointment, effective early 2026, marks the start of a transformative partnership – one that seeks not only to redefine Palé Hall’s dining experience, but to champion the produce, people and spirit of North Wales itself. "To begin my next chapter as Chef Partner at Palé Hall is an extraordinary opportunity," Luke explains.
Selby’s arrival coincides with a new era for the historic Victorian mansion. Acquired in 2024 by entrepreneurs Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, Palé Hall has since been undergoing a quiet evolution, its future shaped by plans for new wine cellars, a whisky lounge, fine art collection, sculpture trail, and a forthcoming luxury wellness retreat.
As Chef Partner, Selby will lead the reinvention of Palé Hall’s entire F&B operation, from the fine dining restaurant – set to relaunch in mid-2026 – to the more relaxed all-day dining concept, The Hearth, which will feature a reimagined chef’s table experience. His remit also spans breakfast, room service, private events, and seasonal shoot hospitality.
Crucially, he’ll also take charge of The Bryntirion Inn, the 300-year-old pub with rooms on the Palé Hall estate. The Bryntirion, which reopened earlier this year following a £1 million refurbishment, now offers elevated pub dining and six characterful guest bedrooms – all of which will form an integral part of Selby’s broader culinary vision.
Family Ties
In a move sure to delight followers of the acclaimed Evelyn’s Table in Soho, Selby’s brothers Nathaniel and Theodore – with whom he earned a Michelin star during their three-year tenure – will join him as part of the senior chef team at Palé Hall.
For Selby, the North Wales relocation is more than a career move, it’s a personal calling: "Wales has an incredible larder," he says. "My vision is to create memorable dining experiences that connect the season, the local landscape, and the great spirit of this beautiful landscape."
Anthony Cooper-Barney, owner of Palé Hall, believes the partnership will elevate not only the property, but the area’s standing on the global stage: "This partnership between Palé Hall and Luke Selby is an exciting venture that embodies our dedication to culinary excellence and outstanding hospitality.
"This collaboration is set to elevate our entire offering as Luke takes the reins with our shared vision for world-class excellence."
Community
Selby’s appointment also comes with a community-focused ambition: the creation of local jobs and training opportunities for young people looking to build careers in hospitality.
For a chef whose career has been defined by mentorship under legends such as Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay, and the Galvin brothers, it feels fitting that his next chapter involves giving back – not in Mayfair or the Cotswolds, but in the heart of Wales.
As Palé Hall prepares to open its next chapter, its union with Luke Selby represents more than a headline appointment – it’s a statement of intent. A commitment to place, to people, and to the idea that true hospitality begins with the land beneath your feet.
