James Mearing

Coming Up

At Lanes in West Coker, James Mearing first met the pace and discipline of professional cooking. That early work established the terms of the career that followed: hands-on service, exacting standards, and the accumulation of small lessons that define a chef’s approach before the title changes. He then moved through a run of kitchens that broadened his range, taking chef roles at Fawsley Hall Hotel in Northampton, Lainston House, The Gainsborough Bath Spa, and The Wild Rabbit. Each post added a different pressure point to the work. Different houses, different teams, different expectations — and with them, the need to adapt without losing control of the floor. Across those roles, Mearing built the technical fluency and composure that later supported his leadership. That progression carried him to Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant in Evershot, Dorset, where he became Executive Head Chef. There, the seasonal brief brought the cooking into closer contact with place, with the menu responding to the coasts and fields around the property. From there, he moved into his current position as Executive Head Chef of Cromlix, extending a career shaped by steady advancement rather than sudden reinvention.

Where They Are Now

At Cromlix in Dunblane, James Mearing is Executive Head Chef, with responsibility for the hotel’s culinary identity. On joining, he said, "It's a really exciting time to be joining Cromlix." That line suits a chef entering a new kitchen with intent and momentum. By this stage of his career, Mearing’s work is defined by the discipline of moving through varied properties and carrying those lessons into one operation. The title is executive, but the job remains rooted in the day-to-day realities of cooking: leading a team, shaping menus, and holding standards through prep and service.

In Their Words “It's a really exciting time to be joining Cromlix.” “I loved it so much that I jumped straight into becoming a full-time chef.” That second quote points to the practical pull of the kitchen itself. For Mearing, the work appears to have been the deciding factor: the pace, the concentration, and the process of turning ingredients into finished plates.

Career - Executive Head Chef — Cromlix - Chef — Lanes, West Coker - Chef — Fawsley Hall Hotel, Northampton - Chef — Lainston House - Chef — The Gainsborough Bath Spa - Chef — The Wild Rabbit - Executive Head Chef — Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant, Evershot, Dorset

Honors

James's honors include Three Counties Chef of the Year (2022) and Three AA Rosettes. Those distinctions sit alongside a career that has moved through Lanes in West Coker, Fawsley Hall Hotel in Northampton, Lainston House, The Gainsborough Bath Spa, The Wild Rabbit, Summer Lodge Country House Hotel & Restaurant in Evershot, Dorset, and Cromlix in Dunblane. The throughline is consistency: progression through different kitchens, and a steady command of the work.

FAQ What is James Mearing's current role? As of 2026, James Mearing is Executive Head Chef. Where did James Mearing work before? James Mearing's earlier career included Lanes, Fawsley Hall Hotel, and Lainston House. What recognition has James Mearing received? Three Counties Chef of the Year (2022).