A RENOWNED dale chef has returned to the kitchen to cook up top-notch seasonal dishes.
Alastair Ross gained fame in the area when he and wife Claire took over Hutton Magna’s Oak Tree Inn in 2002 and for 16 years attracted diners from as far afield as Newcastle, Leeds and Penrith.
While Mr Ross was there the pub earned listings in the Good Food Guide and the Michelin Guide.
Now, to the delight of epicures everywhere, he has put his apron back on and is plying his trade from Eppleby’s revamped Cross Keys Inn.
The pub was saved from closure by locals Anthony and Mel Allum in 2021 and after a complete revamp, which included removing the many small rooms to make a larger open space, it re-opened in 2022.
Mr Ross, who trained at London’s Savoy Hotel and spent five years as celebrity gastronome Prue Leith’s head chef, is renowned for preparing his menu according to when ingredients are at their best.
He said: “At the moment it is asparagus season – the ideal time for the English asparagus is a small six-week window. When the season closes, I won’t use asparagus at all – it is St George’s Day when it all starts again.”
The chef serves the asparagus with fresh halibut, mint, new potatoes and peas.
Other seasons includes berries, such as strawberry and raspberry, in the summer and game in August. He also has a reserved mushroom season, among others.
After two weeks in the Cross Key’s kitchen, Mr Ross is feeling quite at home.
He said: “I am back to how it was at Hutton Magna – me in the kitchen, on my own. It is a lovely kitchen, really well equipped.”
Landlady Mel Allum is enjoying the new flavours coming out of the kitchen, as well as the new clientele the chef has brought into the pub.
She said: “I had the hog-roast sausage last night, it was delicious. I also had the souffle, which was equally as amazing. It is fantastic to having him here – a lot of people come here because they know Alastair is here. It is amazing for us, just brilliant.”
