A restaurant manager who began working under Michelin starred chefs when he was 15 has taken a top role at an award winning Suffolk business.

George Bonwick has been appointed general manager at The Bildeston Crown Hotel, part of the Nedging Hall Estate, in Suffolk, having joined the estate's team in 2022.   

The Bildeston Crown is a 15th century 3 AA Rosette restaurant, hotel and bar and was one of 32 Suffolk restaurants included in the prestigious AA Restaurant Guide 2023.

The 28-year-old is no stranger to working with top chefs with his father Simon Bonwick, among the Michelin star winners he has worked with in his career.

His first job was as a back waiter at William Drabble’s Michelin starred Aubergine in his hometown of Marlow, Buckinghamshire at the age of 15.

He then moved on to Tom Kerridge’s two Michelin starred Hand & Flowers, also located in the town, where he worked throughout his university years.  

Mr Bonwick, who studied classics with philosophy from Royal Holloway, returned to the hospitality industry to work to work with his father at his restaurant The Crown at Burchetts Green.

The Crown at Burchetts Green was awarded a Michelin star in 2019. 

In 2020, Mr Bonwick as a general manager won the prestigious Michelin Service Award, which recognises outstanding levels of service in hospitality.  

Mr Bonwick said: “I’m delighted to be working alongside our incredibly talented chefs at The Bildeston Crown, which has been owned by the Buckle family for more than 20 years.

"Together, we are committed to delivering excellent dishes, with many ingredients grown on the Estate, as well as a warm welcome and attentive customer service.” 

Mr Bonwick began working on the Nedging Hall Estate when he took up the general manager role at the Lindsey Rose pub in 2022.