Meet the chef
Slawomir Mikolajczyk
Director
Originally from Szczecin in north western Poland, Slawek ‘s passion for cooking started when studying at his local catering college. After gaining his diploma, he spent a year in Polish national service. An eye opening experience, Slawek says this is where he started to appreciate the extremes of discipline, and the importance of preparation and self-motivation. Just ask him for one of his army anecdotes and you are sure to be entertained! Following this he decided to move to England in order to visit relatives, learn English and progress in the restaurant industry.
Upon arriving in Lincoln, he worked in a care home, and then a local pub. At the age of 22, he then took on his first head chef job in a newly opened gastro-pub. After one year, the decision was then made to take a step back in order to develop his culinary skills.
Slawek accepted a job as a commis chef at Winteringham Fields in the summer of 2008. Quickly becoming a true member of the Winteringham fields family, he progressed to being a sous chef within 2 years. In 2012 he was presented with the opportunity of running the kitchen and became head chef.
During his time at Winteringham Fields he had the opportunity and was privileged to work with some of the biggest chefs in the industry such as Tom Kerridge, Gordon Ramsey, Raymond Blanc and Danny Garcia learning and mastering the crafts. In 2015 the opportunity came along to run his own business at The Hope and Anchor Pub in South Ferriby, and then decided to take on the New Inn – Great Limber in August 2022 in partnership with Alex Knowles.
Alex Knowles
Executive Head-Chef - Managing Director
Born in Germany to parents in the British Army, Alex gained a love for learning new cultures from an early age, this went hand in hand as he started his cooking career.
At the age of 17 Alex decided to take up a kitchen assistant job whilst waiting to come of age to join the Army. Very quickly he discovered a love for cooking and the rest as they say, is history…
After spending two and a half years gaining qualifications and experience in the catering world, Alex left his home town of Grantham, Lincolnshire to join Collin Mcgurran’s team, and was one of the first members of the team to open The Hope and Anchor. Under the guidance and tutorage of Slawek, Alex spent five years learning all things food. During this time he discovered passions for farm to fork dining, butchery and foraging. He also had the opportunity to learn from some of the best chefs in the country with work experience at restaurants such as: Dinner by Heston (2 Michelin star), The Hand and Flowers (2 Michelin star), The Coach in Marlow (1 Michelin star) and Midsummer House (2 Michelin star).
After five years at The Hope and Anchor progressing from Commis Chef to Head Chef Alex decided to pursue more learning and moved to restaurant Moor Hall in Ormskirk (2 Michelin star). Here he spent more time learning at the highest level of cooking as part of a team that won National Restaurant Awards Best restaurant 2019. Next on the list was a return to Collin Mcgurran and Winteringham Fields (1 Michelin star). Under the watchful eye of Head Chef Gareth Bartram, Alex rekindled his love for all things Lincolnshire.
Alex is very excited to be returning to working alongside Slawek on The New Inn, Great Limber project and looks forward to welcoming all the guests.
