A LAKE District hotel and dining venue has recruited a hospitality professional with extensive international experience.

In a south to north move which bucks the trend for the industry, Alex Lunan, 31, from London has joined the team at the Wild Boar Inn Grill & Smokehouse as its new restaurant manager.

The inn at Crook, near Windermere, which is run by English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, appointed Alex to the role as a result of an impressive CV and wide ranging restaurant venue management experience which has taken her across the globe.

Alex has worked in the hospitality industry for more than 13 years, including a number of overseas roles, notably in the US and Australia, as well a six month assignment on a cruise ship around the Bahamas. She started her career with Disney and has also worked in Sydney with Hatted Chefs, which is Australia’s equivalent of the Michelin star grading system.

In the UK, she worked in London for Soho House, a creative media members club, moving her way up the management ladder with 60-70 hour weeks and getting to mingle with some star guests such as Morgan Freeman and Ed Sheeran.

“When I first started at Disney, I was waitressing, which taught me early on the importance of going that extra step and seeing what a difference small gestures can make to someone’s visit,” says Alex. “Working there was a great start and that’s when I got bitten by the travel bug.

“Restaurant work has allowed me to travel and explore the world whilst building up experience. In Australia, I also worked for an amazing boutique hotel where dinner was always a fabulous show and staff were dressed for the occasion.

“What attracted me to the Wild Boar Inn was its friendly feel and quirky vibe. I’ve always preferred places with personality, and the Lake District countryside is spectacular – and very different of course to London.”

“We are thrilled to have Alex here with us as our new restaurant manager,” says Adam Bujok from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues, the manager of The Wild Boar.

“Her international experience and diverse career path will be an asset to the team. Alex has had a fascinating career to date which has taken her all around the globe. Now she has the chance to work at a renowned venue in the UK’s latest World Heritage Site.”

The Wild Boar Inn has its own smoke house, which supplies the restaurant with meats, cheeses and fish and offers food smoking courses. The inn also has an on-site microbrewery, the Brewhouse, where guests can experience real ale fermenting sessions under the expert guidance of a master brewer.