The shortlist for the Estrella Damn National Restaurant Awards’ chef of the year has been announced. The awards are set to take place on June 13 this year and there are three northern chefs nominated for the accolade.
Established in 2007, the Estrella Damn National Restaurant Awards celebrate the best of the best within the restaurant industry with awards for best restaurant, chef to watch and the service award. The 100 best restaurants have been revealed, having been voted on by top chefs, food writers, and other big industry names.
Eight chefs have been nominated for chef of the year from across the UK. Three of those chefs are from the north.
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Recent years have seen a move towards more sustainable practices in cooking which can be seen across the Estrella Damn National Restaurant Awards, which now boast a sustainability award. Similarly, many of the restaurants and chefs nominated take pride in sourcing local produce or growing their own.
Simon Rogan, L’Enclume Cumbria, Umbel Restaurant Group
Simon Rogan's restaurant in the village of Cartmel in the Lake District is one such restaurant which believes in the importance of local, home grown produce. L'Enclume recently celebrated its 20th anniversary by receiving a third Michelin star in the 2022 Michelin guide.
The awards describe him as a trailblazer in sustainability, noting how his “naturalistic cooking and plating, multi-course menus and service style have helped raise the profile of British restaurants on a global scale.”
The triple Michelin star restaurant boasts its own farm, Our Farm, which is the inspiration, along with the local countryside, for the ever changing seasonal menu. Furthermore, changes in the weather can cause changes in the menu as all produce is picked at its finest moment.
Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Northcote, Lancashire
Having run the Michelin starred kitchen since 2015, the executive chef now splits her time between Northcote and The Stafford London’s Game Bird restaurant.
Described as offering a ‘classic style of cooking’, the move south to the capital offers Goodwin-Allen the opportunity to show her food to a much bigger audience. Classically local food are currently on offer at Northcote with promises of Yorkshire duck and wild halibut.
The seasonal lunch menu, available in both meat friendly and vegetarian, costs £48 per person and includes three courses of the best seasonal produce. However, Northcote also offers a five course gourmet menu at £115, with the vegetarian option costing £95, for lunch, the gourmet menu must be pre-booked.
Stosie Madi, Parkers Arms, Lancashire
Stosie Madi’s Parkers Arms in Clitheroe has been working its way up the list of Estrella Damn’s top 50 gastropubs and this years sits firmly in second place. However, Madi’s work has still been recognised as she is the third northern chef to be recognised for chef of the year 2022.
The pub is so successful that a takeaway service, Parkers at Home has been set up, where customers can order dishes to enjoy at home. Described as a ‘relaxed affair’, the food at Parkers Arms is seasonal and generally local with the chefs taking inspiration from the Trough of Bowland and surrounding areas.
A little cheaper than the other northern delights, a three course a la carte meal at the Parkers Arms from their daily meal will cost £45 per person.
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