The ten day annual event held at Northcote, Lancashire from Monday 20th to Wednesday 29th January was a gastronomic celebration showcasing some of the UK and Europe’s most talented chefs. With over six hundred bottles of wine consumed, over 5,000 dishes served and over 900 satisfied customers Northcote’s Food and Wine Festival, ‘Obsession’ has come to an end.
Nigel Haworth, Chef Patron & Managing Director of Northcote commented, “There was a fantastic atmosphere during the festival this year! Paul Cunningham hit the culinary heights and also played a drum rendition with whisks and wooden spoons to, ‘In the Air Tonight’ by Phil Collins. Not forgetting Eric Chavot who kept us all on our toes and entertained us during his time at Northcote!”
He continued, “Each chef challenged themselves, pushing the boundaries to deliver amazing menus, and this year I could welcome them to our new state-of-the-art kitchen, which just took Obsession to another level. I’m proud of all the team who helped deliver this top class event; it’s a great achievement every year.”
This year the festival welcomed Paul Ainsworth, At Number 6 Restaurant, Padstow; Eric Chavot, Brasserie Chavot, London; Gary Jones, Le Manoir Aux Quat’saisons, Oxford; Paul Cunningham, Henne Kirkeby Kro, Denmark; Adam Byatt, Trinity London ; Jonray & Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, Casamia, Bristol ; Adam Simmonds, Formerly of Adam Simmonds Restaurant At Danesfield House Marlow-On-Thames; Michael Wignall, The Latymer, At Penny Hill Park Hotel, Surrey; Lisa Allen, Northcote, Blackburn. As is tradition, Nigel Haworth, Northcote, Blackburn closed Northcote’s fourteenth Food and Wine Festival, ‘Obsession’.
New to the festival this year was the chance to dine in the heart of the action at Northcote’s Chef’s Table which seats up to 10 guests. Truly a unique experience with uninterrupted views of the kitchen and guests witnessed first hand the vibrancy, theatre and drama during the festival.
Craig Bancroft, Managing Director of Northcote said, “There was a fantastic buzz amongst the staff during the festival. The past six months has seen significant changes at Northcote and Obsession was the chance to really showcase the new bar, kitchen, Louis Roederer Rooms and Chef’s Table.
“Even Mathew Fort took to twitter to comment on the new state-of-the-art kitchen, ‘Northcote’s new kitchen is smarter than the dining rooms in most restaurants’. We are all extremely proud of what Northcote is evolving into and the festival was the perfect platform to shout about it!”
In 2015 Northcote will be celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Obsession. Plans are on the way with the possibility of extending the festival to fifteen evenings! On top of this Craig and Nigel will be celebrating 30 years in business together. It is set to be a busy and exciting year, so watch this space.
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Paul Ainsworth – Red Hereford short rib butchers tartare