Gilpin Hotel and Lake House, a five-star, family-run hotel near Windermere, is on course for becoming the foodie destination of the region for 2023, with the appointment of three new high-profile chefs.
Ollie Bridgwater (ex Fat Duck), Aakash Ohol (ex HRiSHi), and Tom ‘Westy’ Westerland (ex Lucknam Park) will completely transform the F&B offering at Gilpin, leaving diners more than spoilt for choice with the development of three completely different dining experiences in one location.
Each will take on the role of overseeing the kitchen at one of the property’s three onsite restaurants, the Michelin-starred HRiSHi (to be renamed SOURCE) and Gilpin Spice – both at Gilpin Hotel – and the newly opened Glöð at Gilpin Lake House respectively.
From this month (January) the chefs will begin to put their own stamp, creativity, and cooking techniques into practice: developing entirely new menus for the restaurants while also committing to more sustainable practices at every stage of the food production process.
Though the aim is to create three very different restaurants, headed up by three very different chefs, they will work together, sharing the same vision, commitment, passion and values, built on sustainable sourcing with low to no food miles and supporting local producers.
Under the guidance of owner Barney Cunliffe, the property will also introduce its’ strategy for sustainability. This will include new procedures and techniques for procurement, scrutinising the supply chain and developing a new Culinary Centre, complete with its own on-site butchery, and working with local farms and specific herds.
Owner Barney Cunliffe said: “Whenever something major changes within an organisation you must look at it as an opportunity to re-examine what you’re doing and find ways to make positive changes for the future. We are very sad to see Hrishikesh go, but we are happy to see him follow his dreams; the whole team and we wish him lots of luck for the future.
“Rather than try to emulate what we had, Zoë and I felt that it was time to try something new and with the opening of our new restaurant at the Lake House, it felt like the ideal time to begin to diversify our culinary offering.
“We took this opportunity to appoint a new chef in each restaurant, and while the three chefs will work in partnership, each restaurant will be run independently. Ultimately, our aim is for our guests to be spoilt for choice and for Gilpin to be a complete foodie destination. One that’s built on a sustainable ethos.
“Sustainability has always been important to us, and now we have the chance to do something really extraordinary, with all chefs working together to ensure there is next to no food waste, something we believe will magnify their creativity as they strive to use every single part of the animal.”
Family owned and run Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, is an elegant, relaxing haven of luxury which offers the ultimate in wellness experiences. Awarded the coveted 5 Red Star Accreditation by The AA in 2021, which “recognises the top level of excellence in hospitality awarded to a hotel by the organisation”, guests can expect warm smiles, stunning culinary experiences, exquisite décor, real fires and friendly, unpretentious service.
Further sustainability developments are to be announced in the new year.
