Darlington

Today’s news in brief – 08/01/24

Drinks sales in the UK saw 7% year-on-year growth in the two weeks ended 30 December 2023, according to data from CGA. Other notably strong days included ‘Mad Friday’ (22 December), when sales were up by 21%. It was a more difficult festive season in the spirits category where sales…

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The Raby Hunt restaurant hits the market ahead of closure

The Raby Hunt, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant near Darlington, has hit the market for an undisclosed amount.  The restaurant has announced it will close its doors later this month as its two Michelin star chef, James Close, plans to step away and embark on a new challenge at Darlington’s Rockliffe Hall. …

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Atul Kochhar Restaurant Group appoints new group operations director

Atul Kochhar Restaurant Group has announced the appointment of Jatin Parmar as group operations director of UK sites. Parmar has over 20 years of experience within the hospitality industry and has previously held managerial positions in some of the UK’s most prestigious restaurants. In his new role, he will oversee…

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First-time pub owners acquire The Darlington Arms

The Darlington Arms, located in the village of Redhill, near Wrington, has been acquired by first-time pub owners Thayanesan Karnan and Sivaji Rajmohan. The pub recently became a contemporary roadside inn and was once an old coaching inn known as The Bell, which provided facilities for stabling, watering and changing…

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Gary Duffy promoted to head chef at Rockliffe Hall

Rockliffe Hall  has announced the promotion of Gary Duffy to Old Hall and Orangery head chef. Duffy succeeds Richard Allen, who decided to step down from the post after almost five years at the four AA-Rosette restaurant in Hurworth, near Darlington. Duffy is said to have worked closely with Allen,…

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Orderswift and Stuart increase direct delivery coverage to 34 UK cities

Online ordering platform Orderswift and on-demand logistics specialist Stuart have expanded their direct delivery partnership to cover 34 cities and towns around the UK. The move comes after a successful two-year collaboration between the two companies in London. With direct delivery, customer orders are placed through a restaurant’s own website…

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Rockliffe Hall executive chef becomes Master Chef of Great Britain

One of Rockliffe Hall’s executive chefs, Aaron Craig, has been accepted as a full member of the Master Chefs of Great Britain (MCGB). Formed in 1980, the association has an exclusive membership made up of some of the most notable head chefs, chef/patrons and head pastry chefs around the country.…

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Michelin-starred restaurant hit with backlash from villagers over expansion plans

A Michelin-starred restaurant in County Durham has been hit by a backlash from locals who claim the restaurant’s traffic makes them “prisoners” in their own homes in an objection letter to Darlington council. The Raby Hunt restaurant, the only Michelin-starred restaurant in England’s north east, plans to combine the restaurant…

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Rockliffe Hall’s Clubhouse hires local ‘hospitality icon’

Five-star hotel and spa, Rockliffe Hall, has appointed Salvatore Obinu, the former owner of the Darlington-based restaurant Sardis to its Clubhouse team as its restaurant team leader. Obinu is considered a “hospitality icon” along with his brother Francesco in their hometown Darlington, County Durham, North East England. Both brothers had…

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Rockliffe Hall and Jesmond Dene House chefs win Great North Menu competition

Two chefs from hotels in Newcastle and County Durham have been crowned the winners of the Great North Menu Challenge 2018. Louise Harbottle from Rockliffe Hall in Darlington, County Durham, won the main course category with her roast lamb, lamb shoulder croquette, rosemary gnocchi and broccoli puree. Manuel Prado, representing…

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