Kevin Tickle to take the helm at The Crown Inn, High Newton

Chef Kevin Tickle is taking on The Crown Inn in High Newton, almost a year after leaving his role at The Forest Inn.

Kevin and his wife Nicola have great plans for the 17th century coaching inn, including an overhauled kitchen and a menu using local suppliers' ingredients, as well as anything the chef can forage in the area.

The chef told The Cumbria Crack that taking over The Crown Inn was “a great opportunity", and that he and his wife are "excited to take what we’ve learnt over the last 20 years and create our own dining destination.

"I’m passionate about the ingredients we have, literally on our doorstep, and can’t wait to get behind the stoves to create something interesting," he added.

“There’s a lot of work to do before we open, but we’re looking forward to building a great team and making a real success of The Crown.”

Kevin Tickle was born and raised in Cumbria, and worked at Michelin starred Sharrow Bay, L’Enclume and Rogan & Co with Simon Rogan, where he learnt how to forage and eventually was named head chef. 

In 2017, Kevin was offered the head chef position at the Forest Side, after striking up a friendship with owner Andrew Wildsmith.

During his time at the Grasmere restaurant, Kevin achieved 4-AA Rosettes and a Michelin star, as well as a high ranking in both the Waitrose Good Food Guide and the Estrella Damn National Restaurant Awards.