The Team

Sam and Georgina Pearman

Sam hails from Gloucestershire and went to London to train as a chef at Mayfair’s Langans Brasserie. He then moved to front of house where he helped to manage the Michelin starred Glass House in Kew. Sam was the consultant at the Kingham Plough for its opening and during its first year.

Georgie was born in Worcestershire and worked as a corporate lawyer for over ten years including six years at Allen & Overy in London. Sam and Georgie moved back to Gloucestershire over six years ago and opened the Royal Well Tavern in Cheltenham which was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in its first year of opening and then shortly after that they bought the Wheatsheaf Inn and in March 2011 completed its refurbishment.

Antony Ely,
Executive Chef

Antony worked at the Mirabelle in Mayfair and after two years joined the Square where he worked for five years rising to Senior Sous Chef. He was then asked to cook for Bono and the Edge of U2 fame at the Clarence Hotel in Dublin as Executive Chef. There he cooked for the likes of President Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Robert de Niro. From these heady heights, Sam tempted him to the Cotswolds and a new era began! Antony has been working at the Wheatsheaf since April 2011.

Roman Ivanov,
Head Chef

Roman started work in Wales and then went to work with Antony Ely for two years. He went to the Michelin starred Chez Bruce as Chef de Partie in Wandsworthand Drakes in Surrey and then joined the Wheatsheaf this year to work alongside Antony again.

Humphrey Fletcher,
Developmental Chef

Humphrey worked at Kensington Place for three years and the River Café for five years. He met Sam when they were both working at the Glass House in Kew. Sam convinced him that he wanted to move to Cheltenham and so he joined Sam and Georgie in their first venture, the Royal Well Tavern, which was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand whilst Humphrey was there.

Peter Creed,
Operations Manager

Peter grew up in Oxfordshire, 15 miles from the Wheatsheaf. He first met Sam and developed a passion for food and service at the Kingham Plough. After some time at the Kingham Plough and having completed training at the Glass House in Kew Gardens, Peter took a break to study business at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. He came to the Wheatsheaf in 2009 as the bar manager and has since spent time in New York training with the Union Square Hospitality Group at such restaurants as the Gramercy Tavern and 11 Madison Park. Peter became the general manager in September 2010 and strives for great, consistent food, a perfect atmosphere and the best hotel experience in the Cotswolds.

Charli Bryant

Charli Bryant originates from Wiltshire, and proudly worked her way from waitress to the role of Manager after 7 years working for the Vine Tree in Norton, awarded "The Best Dining Pub in Wiltshire 2009". It was here Charli met an acquaintance of the Wheatsheafand subsequently joined the team as Assistant Manager in 2009. Charli is off to New York in April 2012 to follow in Pete’s footsteps.

Jeremy Ashby,
Restaurant Manager

Jeremy swapped the manic London scene for the country hustle-bustle of The Wheatsheaf Inn. Jeremy worked as Bar Manager and Assistant Restaurant Manager at Shepherds Restaurant which is part of the Langham’s Group for 8 years gaining extensive knowledge of food and wine and providing excellent customer care. Jeremy has brought his years of experience dealing with high profile clientele to us showing real professionalism and character.

Jim Barber,
Food & Beverage Manager

Jim has worked in the hospitality industry for over 15 years starting his journey at Chimneys Restaurant in South Yorkshire. He has worked in a number of prestigious venues such as the awarding winning Harvilles Restaurant, The Grange Hotel and The Lamb & Lion Restaurant.

Jim has lived in Cheltenham for nearly two years having moved to work as the Food and Beverage Manager at Cowley Manor. Having been a rival at the annual Cotswold Bloody Mary Competition, Jim truly got a taste of the Wheatsheaf team. If you fancy a mean Martini, Jim's your man!

Lionel Periner,
Group Beverage Manager

Lionel has been a qualified Sommelier for ten years and has worked mainly at Michelin Star restaurants. After working locally at Hotel Du Vin in Bristol and Bell’s Diner he moved to London and joined the acclaimed La Trompette in Chiswick where he was Assistant Sommelier. Lionel is currently studying for a diploma for Master Sommelier.