Every exceptional dining experience begins with the people behind it. We’re delighted to celebrate our recently promoted Executive Sous Chef, Lana Murrell.
This winter, Lana has added another remarkable milestone to her growing career, capturing first place in the Senior Chef category at the 2026 Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association Taste of Barbados Competition.
Competing against 30 chefs in the largest Senior Chef division in the competition’s history, Lana impressed the judges with a dish inspired by vibrant local ingredients. Even more remarkably, this was her very first culinary competition.
Her first-place finish has earned her a place in the national training programme, where she’ll compete for selection to represent Barbados at the Caribbean Hotel
& Tourism Association’s Taste of the Caribbean later this year.
Please join us in congratulating Lana on this
well-deserved achievement. We’re proud to have her leading our culinary team and look forward to seeing
what she creates next
.
What does becoming Executive Sous Chef mean to you?
Becoming Executive Sous Chef represents the culmination of years of dedication, perseverance, and countless twists and turns throughout my culinary journey. Being a chef
is by no means an easy career, it demands blood, sweat, and sometimes literal tears. As a young female chef in a traditionally male dominated industry, there have been many moments of being second-guessed and having to work twice as hard to prove that I belonged.
Stepping into this role is a reminder that faith, persistence, and hard work truly pay off. It reinforces my belief that there has always been a greater plan for my life. The long days and nights spent on my feet, the challenges I have faced, and
the incredible mentorship I received along the way have all shaped me into the chef and leader I am today. I am deeply honored to have been appointed Executive Sous Chef at Apes Hill in less than a year of joining the company, and I
am excited to continue growing alongside the brand.
What can members and guests look forward to from you in this new role?
Our members and guests can look forward to exciting enhancements to the menus at the 20th Hole and Noisy Cricket, while still enjoying many of the dishes they have come to know and love. My focus is on building a strong, passionate culinary team that consistently delivers exceptional dining experiences. I am particularly excited to showcase the incredible quality of local produce, including ingredients sourced directly from our farm at Ape’s Hill, creating fresh, seasonal dishes that celebrate the best of Barbados.
Leave feedback about this