Iain Ganson named head chef at Reading’s Thames Lido

Ganson has spent the past 18 years working alongside his brother Scott at the pub, which is also in the Berkshire town. 

As head chef he will be working with restaurant director Jake Platt, who works across both Thames Lido and its sister site Bristol Lido.

Thames Lido launched in 2021 serving a menu overseen by littlefrench chef Freddy Bird. It features a ‘lavish’ open air swimming pool, spa, and a restaurant which overlooks the pool.

In Ganson's short time in the role he has already created a ‘stunning’ new menu, filled with ‘sunshine-filled’ tapas and larger Spanish plates as well as other, adventurous Mediterranean plates celebrating France, Italy and beyond.

Originally from Nairn, Scotland, Ganson says he steers clear of over-complicating things with ingredients, emphasising the need to understand ‘why’ a particular ingredient is being used, allowing it ‘to shine naturally and deliciously’.

Ethically sourced, seasonal ingredients remain central to Lido’s approach, a Ganson  ‘passionately upholds by translating fresh produce into irresistible dishes’.