Frances Atkins’ new Killinghall restaurant secures place in Michelin Guide

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 wagon at Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall.

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.

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The Yorke Arms to host Northern School of Gardening

An award winning horticulturist and The Yorke Arms have launched the Northern School of Gardening.

The country house, based in Ramsgill, and Dean Bolton Grant have set up the school in an effort to teach new gardening skills and offer new approaches to garden design.

It’s the latest venture for The Yorke Arms since its owners decided to reinvent it from a Michelin star restaurant to a private hire venue due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The school will be based at the country house and offer one-day courses, ranging from year-round vegetable growing to the art and craft of gardening.

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Courses are now available to book and are set to start from June 2021.

Dean Bolton Grant, Director and Founder of the Northern School of Gardening, said:

“Our aim is to create a destination for people who are keen to learn new gardening skills and be inspired by a curated mix of traditional and modern approaches to garden design. 

“We’ve developed a range of courses suited to all abilities. We also offer intimate talks and presentations which will inspire and inform those who want to know what goes on behind the scenes when it comes to creating beautiful gardens. 

“We’re excited to be working with the team at the Yorke Arms to deliver extraordinary events.”

The Yorke Arms was previously a Michelin star restaurant, but managers said in July last year that they had no plans to reopen it as it was not financially viable.

Instead, they pitched the site as “the ultimate staycation” to reconnect and immerse. It is now an informal space for private events and overnight stays.

In September, the owners of The Yorke Arms secured a wedding licence to hold civil ceremonies on site.

It allowed the bridal party and guests will have sole use of the 17 bedrooms and suites as well as the communal areas.

Stray Foodie: Yorkshire Michelin-starred chef becomes food reviewer

The Stray Ferret is delighted to announce that legendary Michelin-starred chef, Frances Atkins, will become… the Stray Foodie!

Frances owned the renowned Yorke Arms near Pateley Bridge for 20 years, where she held a Michelin star for 16 of them.

Now Frances is now turning her talent and experience to food reviewing.

From fine-dining restaurants to pop ups, Frances will be visiting all types of catering establishments and writing a review for the Stray Ferret.

Her first review will be published on The Stray Ferret next week on Saturday, September 26.

Frances told The Stray Ferret:

“I would see it as my job to encourage people to stay safe, take care, but at the same time enjoy what is on offer at the moment.

“I’m hoping that [my reviews] will encourage people to visit our industry more and not to be so worried about these times because most people in the hospitality industry are over-cautious now and they care about their customers.

“A friend of mine said to me the other day that he loves reading food reviews because they paint a picture for him, and he feels as if he is there and enjoying it. It also stimulates him to try new dishes at home himself and broadens his horizons, so he absolutely loves them.

“As for business owners, every business wants to be busy; it’s a form of advertising that people will read and see, rather than the establishment just saying they’re the greatest – there’s nothing like word of mouth.

“Also, if somebody builds up a following, a trust, that’s something I have to achieve. I think it’s important that the owners have a confidence in us to want to advertise with us.”

Frances Atkins pictured outside her airstream bus business Paradise Foods.

Frances discusses the possible challenges she may face when writing her reviews.

She said:

“It’s particularly important to give a clear picture of the feeling of the place in the first instance and first impressions. I think it’s important to take a positive view rather than a negative view because everybody’s opinions are always different, and I think during these times it’s very important to produce positive and honest feedback.

“It could be a challenge for me to make sure I don’t let my professionalism interfere with a review on a place that may be structured slightly differently to the way I would run it. Also, not to enjoy myself too much because I’m very good at forgetting when I’m enjoying it – on the other hand, if I am enjoying myself to that degree then that must be a good thing.”

“For me this is an exciting new world, away from the stove – and that’s how I see it. The benefit I see is having a great experience seeing other people’s style and the way people do things.”

“I wouldn’t be criticising; I will be writing about an experience. It’s something that I find exciting because I want to put my experience onto paper.”

After leaving the Yorke Arms, Frances converted an airstream bus into a mobile kitchen business, Paradise Foods, and stationed it at Daleside Nurseries in Killinghall. She was joined by her previous colleagues, John Tulett and Roger Olive.

Are you a restaurant in the Harrogate district – from pop-up to fine dining? Would you like Frances to review your establishment? If so, send her an email to: foodie@thestrayferret.co.uk.

The Yorke Arms to host intimate weddings

The Yorke Arms will host intimate weddings after it was given a licence to hold civil ceremonies on site.

It had previously been a restaurant which used to hold a Michelin star, but the managers no longer believe that side of the business is viable.

They changed the venue into a country house for hire a couple of months ago and pitched it as “the ultimate staycation”.

Now, the new licence means The Yorke Arms can host weddings. The bridal party and guests will have sole use of the 17 bedrooms and suites as well as the communal areas.

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Groups of up to 30 can enjoy the wedding breakfast together. The owners believe it is the perfect size for the current coronavirus regulations.

The team at The Yorke Arms said the venue will be flexible to meet couples’ needs and hopes, with no restrictions on timings, food or drink. As well as its own wedding licence, The Yorke Arms is within walking distance of Ramsgill village church, allowing couples and their guests to have a church ceremony before returning on foot for the reception.

Laura Shinkfield, hospitality sales manager, said:

“Receiving the wedding licence is the final piece of the jigsaw in the reinvention of The Yorke Arms. We are now taking enquiries and looking forward to welcoming our first weddings.”

No plans to reopen top Nidderdale restaurant with Michelin star

The Yorke Arms has no plans to reopen its Michelin Star restaurant in Nidderdale. The owners will open the country house for private hire instead.

Managers closed the restaurant down at the start of lockdown. Now they do not believe that it is financially viable to reopen with the current social distancing guidelines.

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Instead, they are repitching the Yorke Arms as “the ultimate staycation” to reconnect and immerse. It will be an informal space for private events and overnight stays.

The dining room will still be open for guests to eat together but it could also work as a boardroom meeting or wedding ceremony space.

The Yorke Arms Restaurant.

The Yorke Arms Restaurant.

They have also adapted the living space areas to become lounges and guests can bring their own alcohol for the bar.

Owner Jonathan Turner said:

“The Yorke Arms has been a hostelry for over 100 years and the team are excited to move forward and ensure that legacy evolves and stays alive. Yes these are challenging times for all however we are determined not to let recent events prevent our guests from enjoying the enviable location and stunning interiors. This is Yorkshire. We pick ourselves up, dust ourselves down and move on.”

With 17 individually styled Yorkshire-proud bedrooms with en-suites, The Yorke Arms can accommodate 33 guests overnight and many more during the day or evening.