Daren grew up within an hotel environment, working under the guidence of his grandparents in a Devon Hotel. Schooling, living and learning in Sidmouth, Devon. From day one, Daren spent time emersed in every element of hotel life, starting with the washing up. A series of opportunities and 22 years of hard work and committment have led Daren to The Elms where he has been Head Chef for five years, guiding the hotel through a unique transitional phase to become the area’s best recognised Chef.

After an inaugral spell at a hotel in Devon, Daren began his career with the opening of Euro Disney before returning to London’s fine dining scene which gave him a unique blend of invaluable experience. Having met his beautiful wife Louise in 1996, they both decided to move away from London to the Cotswolds and, sacrificing good London wages, get themselves into the world of managing businesses.

Daren joined a company that fulfilled his dreams and their promises, and ran two high profile hotels in one of the country’s best loved tourism areas, Normanton Park and the Close Hotel. The brewery then invited him to run The Close Hotel in Tetbury, and he achieved 3 AA rosettes in five months, an amazing achievement. Following this, Daren was instrumental in achieving Red Star status for the Close Hotel.

Following the arrival of his children, Daren re-located to Worcestershire, and has been Head Chef at The Elms ever since.

Development of unique avenues such as ‘Cooking with Chef’, and spin off “products” such as ‘Cooking with Dad’ have given Daren a real presence within Worcestershire and the luxury family hotel market. His committment to local producers and environmentally friendly methods, without the compromise of quality have led to a truly unique offering at The Elms. Daren poured all his passions into the design of his new outdoor cooking demonstration area and kitchen garden. Here he can truly express his desire to produce consistent quality, from local sources using envirmontentally friendly methods to a wide audience, building up both his own and the hotels’ profile.

Away from the kitchen, Daren is a lover of the great outdoors, enjoying mountain biking challenges, raising large sums for numerous charities within the local area. Daren has also gone through a crash course in parenting over the last 7 years – skills which he believes stand him in good stead with his teamin the kitchen!. Daren grabs what family time he can and camping trips and outdoor family activities are a favoured Bale family tradition. Other pastimes revolve around his love of music. As a keen drummer and all round musician Daren has recently formed a band made up solely of chefs!