Richard Allen leaves The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall
“The Rockliffe Hall estate has so much to offer”
Richard Allen, Executive Chef, The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall
Kenny Atkinson, Head Chef, Rockliffe Hall, County Durham
Paul Nicholson is set to take up the position of Head Chef at Rockliffe Hall Hotel’s Orangery restaurant.
Paul who currently works as Head Chef at The Clock House restaurant, where he has retained a Michelin-star and three AA rosettes, is expected to start his new position later this month.
It follows news that Luke Spier is set to replace Paul at The Clock House restaurant as head chef.
Commenting on his decision join the team at Rockliffe Hall, Paul Nicholson said: “The Rockliffe Hall estate has so much to offer, particularly the walled kitchen gardens which were redeveloped earlier this year."
He added: “I’m excited about working with the Orangery team and the array of ingredients that are readily available to forage in the local area, coupled with the excellent produce that is available right on the doorstep.”
Throughout his career Paul, 40, has worked at some of the country’s finest restaurants including the Yorke Arms in the Yorkshire Dales, Storrs Hall in the Lake District and Lords of the Manor and The Dial House, both in the Cotswolds.
Originally from Bath, Paul first trained as a chef through an apprenticeship at the Hilton Hotel before joining the brigade at Bath Priory as a commis pastry chef, which was his first experience of Michelin-level cooking.
He is now relocating to the north east with his wife and daughter to take on his new role in The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall.
Jason Adams, Managing Director at the five-star resort added: “This is such an exciting time for Rockliffe Hall. We have so many plans in the pipeline as we enter 2023. Rockliffe Hall is one of the highest rated hotels in England, and both Paul and I are deeply committed to making the Orangery restaurant one of the best dining venues in the country.”
He added: “Paul is an incredible chef and I can’t wait to see his ideas and creativity come to fruition as he settles in to the team.”
Paul describes his culinary style as simple, with an emphasis on using the very best seasonal produce to showcase flavour.
He enjoys using unusual food pairings to create unique dishes, while continually evolving his menus using modern techniques.
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“The Rockliffe Hall estate has so much to offer”
Richard Allen leaves The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall
Richard Allen, Executive Chef, The Orangery at Rockliffe Hall
Kenny Atkinson, Head Chef, Rockliffe Hall, County Durham
