She was one of Britain’s first female chefs to win a Michelin star. Now, Frances Atkins could be in the running for the prestigious accolade again.

Paradise Cafe at Daleside Nurseries, in Killinghall, has been chosen as one of six of the inspectors’ favourite new additions to appear in the Michelin Guide this month.

This means the lakeside restaurant, which only opened its doors in April, could now be up for a Michelin star or Bib Gourmand.

Ms Atkins said:

“As a new business, we are delighted.

“It doesn’t make any difference in terms of what we offer. We will continue to to do what we do, which is to use fresh foods we produce ourselves, grown here at Daleside.”

A scallops dish.

Ms Atkins held a coveted star for 16 of the 23 years she was chef-patron of The Yorke Arms at Ramsgill in Nidderdale. Although she sold the business in 2017, she continued to work for its new owner until 2020, when it closed as a restaurant as a result of the pandemic.

With two long-term Yorke Arms colleagues, John Tullett, general manager and front of house, and head chef Roger Olive, she bought a silver Airstream caravan and parked it at Daleside.

The Paradise Cafe Airstream caravan.

From here, the trio served  began serving food on disposable bamboo plates for 18 months, before moving into the long-planned 80-seat cafe.

The Michelin Guide entry says:

“It may be a garden centre café, but this is not just any old garden centre café: it’s located in a separate building for a start – a spacious and smart modern space with a jewel of a terrace overlooking a lake.

“And then there’s the food: a frequently changing, seasonal menu bursting with delightful dishes which are fresh, unfussy and full of flavour.

“Come for coffee and cake, breakfast, brunch or lunch; there’s plenty for vegetarians and vegans – and a chef’s table if you’d like to watch and chat to the chefs as they work. Do book ahead, as the aptly named café is likely to be busy.”

Paradise Cafe is open Tuesday until Sunday, from 10am until 4pm.

Dinner is available on Friday evenings from 7pm.

Read more:

• Sneak Peak: Paradise arrives in Killinghall
• Michelin-starred chef’s new cafe to open at Killinghall nursery this month

More than 40 people attended an online meeting this week to discuss bringing a refugee family to Nidderdale.

Peter Wright, a long-time supporter of refugee causes, organised the meeting from his Ramsgill home.

He told the Stray Ferret the response was “brilliant”:

“There is clearly a genuine and solid base of support, which will help us to get Nidderdale Community Welcome off the ground.

“In addition to the valuable input that people made, we discovered that we have in our area many of the skills and competences required to turn the idea of welcoming a refugee family into our community a reality.”

The bid to welcome a refugee family to Nidderdale has moved a step closer.

A number of people involved in similar community organisations in their areas joined the meeting.

Nicola David, chair of Ripon City of Sanctuary, which was established in 2015, was also present.

The sanctuary provides practical support and encouragement for two Syrian families who have resettled in Ripon.

Ms David said:

“It was a very encouraging meeting and we will do all we can to assist the Nidderdale group in achieving its goals, through sharing information and the experience that we have gained.

“Refugees are ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances and it is inspirational to see that even at a time of lockdown, communities are ready to help them.”

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There are approximately 80 million displaced people around the world, of which 26 million are refugees. The government initially agreed for up to 10,000 to be resettled in the UK.

Community sponsorship organisations have to prepare everything that might be needed for families to become self-sufficient members of their new community, as required in detailed plans set out by the Home Office.

This includes safeguarding, learning English, applying for relevant benefits, accessing medical help, schools, transport, finding work and having support from translators.

To obtain refugee status the families have already been closely vetted, entitling them to the same help and welfare as anyone else living in the UK. The community group needs to raise at least £9,000 to ensure additional needs are met.

The group has to have either charitable status or a partnership with an existing charity, such as Catholic Care Leeds, which takes ultimate responsibility for the agreement with the Home Office and provides experience, governance and safeguarding training and support.

Further information is available by contacting wrightpandh@gmail.com