Oddfellows Hotels has announced Oliver Walker as its new Head Chef at boutique hotel, Oddfellows On The Park.

Walker, 28, joins the team from Pikes Hotel in Ibiza, where he worked seasonally for three years.

He also ran an acclaimed street food style events van called The Nomad, which featured at music festivals and private events.

The chef trained under Macdonald Hotels in Glasgow, spending much of his training at Gleneagles.

Joining the design-led hotel collection, Walker will head up the entire chef operation from events and occasions to taking the helm at The Galloping Major restaurant.

“I’m delighted to be taking up a head chef role so close to my Salford roots. I grew up on local and regional Northern ingredients and I can’t wait to showcase them in the food here at Oddfellows,” comments Oliver Walker.

Adding: “As well as a tasting menu that will be as imaginative as it is seasonal and locally sourced, I’m looking forward to creating events and weddings menus that exceed expectations. I’ll be drawing on my Pikes experience to create a more casual menu for daytime and hotel dining – elevating the basics like burgers and grazing platters for informal dining.”

Carlo Iulianella, General Manager of Oddfellows On The Park also comments: “Oliver is an amazing chef, Manchester born and bred but with an excellent international pedigree.”

Concluding: “Whilst his food is Modern British, he has a flair for presentation, and flavours that pack a real punch, which will bring a real drama to our beautiful ballroom at Bruntwood Hall. We are delighted Oliver is joining the Oddfellows family. He is a huge asset to the team.”

Oddfellows On The Park is the second boutique hotel in the Odfellows collection, with a sister hotel in Chester. The hotel has 22 rooms, The Stud Room bar and The Galloping Major restaurant, along with private event spaces and The Pigsty salon.