Johnny Stanford will head up the kitchen at Jodie Kidd's Sussex pub

Johnny Stanford is taking the role at The Half Moon in Kirdford, having left Pascere late last month.

“Pascere was never going to be a long-term position. I’d like to have stayed longer but some things don’t always work out as planned,” says Stanford.

“I really enjoyed my time there, I learnt a lot about my style of food and my goals in the last year. I’m super proud of what we achieved and the reviews we received.”

Stanford will be offering a relaxed and informal a la carte menu and a tasting menu, to make the menu accessible to everyone. “It’s a country pub, after all,” he says.

“Whether someone wants to come for a pint or a tasting menu, everyone’s welcome.”

Dishes, the most expensive main of which will be £20 unless very special or interesting produce is used, will be made with ingredients grown in the kitchen garden, which his girlfriend’s mother will oversee.

The chef says that inspiration will come from living by the sea, as well as working on the South Downs.

Menus are still in development, but Stanford says that he will be encouraging his team, which is already in place in the kitchen, to have input in the creative side of the service.

“All chefs have ideas regardless of their position or experience. We should all learn and work together to create something amazing. Both with the food and with the restaurant.”