Chef Sam Moody has revealed further details of plans to open his own restaurant in County Laois. Posting on Instagram, the chef revealed he had taken on and is refurbishing the Bramley building in the town of Abbeyleix. “We’re going to do our best to be open at the end of the month,” he said. The venue is described as a “neighbourhood restaurant” with “relaxed elegance, exceptional simplicity, warm hospitality”.

Moody announced earlier this year that he would be leaving Ballyfin after more than six years.

Moody joined the luxury Ballyfin country house hotel in County Laois as head chef in October 2016 following nearly seven years as executive chef at the 33-bedroom Bath Priory hotel.

The Acorn Award winner (2011) and winner of the 2013 Hotel Catey award for Chef of the Year also previously worked for Andrew Brownsword’s Gidleigh Park hotel in Chagford, Devon, under Michael Caines.

Having studied at Central Sussex College in Crawley, Moody started his career as a commis chef at Ockenden Manor hotel in Cuckfield, West Sussex. Two and a half years later, at the age of 20, he moved to Gidleigh Park. Three years after taking over the head chef role at the Bath Priory, the hotel’s restaurant was awarded a Michelin star.