Feversham Arms Hotel in Helmsley announce prestigious new head chef

Guests dining at Yorkshire’s renowned retreat-style hotel, the Feversham Arms Helmsley Hotel & Verbena Spa this summer will enjoy menus created by a recently appointed Head Chef, whose passion for Yorkshire fayre is second to none.

Jon Appleby is extremely familiar with the rich larder of produce from the region, having honed his culinary skills for over two decades within the area’s finest hotels and inns, including Rockcliffe Hall at Darlington, The Blue Lion at East Witton and Judges at Kirklevington.

Modern British cooking is his style, made more meaningful by his passion for sourcing as locally as possible. Top of his agenda is excellent quality of course, and he is also committed to buying local to sustain small independent businesses and artisan producers, as well as clocking up zero food miles where possible.

Seasonal menus at The Feversham Arms in Helmsley are packed with fresh, local buys including hand-reared beef whose grassy notes can be detected in the tender, salt-aged Loin of Yorkshire Beef, served with buttered King Oyster mushrooms and a shallot and red wine sauce, and his Mosaic of East Coast Seafood starter, or the North Sea Monkfish tail, served with a lightly curried fish velouté, is from fish and seafood caught off the Yorkshire coastline and freshly delivered daily; all popular choices with diners at the hotel’s Weathervane Restaurant.

Jon comments on his sourcing, “ We are so lucky to have a range of local artisan producers on our doorstep, as well as all the fresh produce that one may expect; a couple of firm favourites are fresh organic sourdough bread, which comes from The Baker’s House in Helmsley, and the most delicious and beautifully presented individually-enrobed, hand- made chocolates which are now served as our petit fours: these are especially created for us by the lovely people at Park House Barn in Ampleforth, which is a social enterprise initiative. I love to share this story with guests who especially after sampling them with us, will often drive over to Ampleforth to stock up before heading home!”

It’s this attention to detail that is getting people talking about this hotel’s foodie offering once more. Jon’s influence is also evident on the ‘al fresco’ lunch menus, on offer at the hotel’s poolside (or indoors, if preferred) where spa-goers, guests and non-residents alike, can linger over simple, yet tasty dishes. Many are Mediterranean-inspired, complementing the poolside’s resort-style ambience, with outdoor wooden tables flanked by terracotta pots, spilling over with fresh flowers and fragrant herbs, such as lavender and thyme.

The range of dishes served at the Spa-tisserie between midday and 4pm, includes grills such as Beef Koftas, mains, such as crayfish and chorizo risotto, a selection of open sandwiches and a tasty grazing board for two. Some dishes focus on health and nutrient benefits, such as the popular superfood salads, with a range of protein accompaniments, ranking high on the ingredients for those keeping their health and vitality in good shape for the summer.

Feversham Arms Helmsley General Manager, Ingo Wiangke, said: “As well as his creative skills in the kitchen, we are impressed by his support of the local community. This extends beyond the sourcing of the foods, and of equal importance is his ambition to support young people at the start of their hospitality careers.

Jon supports several educational organisations, and often sits on regional judging panels on a voluntary basis. Like most hotels, recruitment has presented some challenges of late, so Jon’s approach has been to invest extra time in supporting and developing youngsters as they take their first steps in becoming a professional Chef.

Above all we’re excited to see what Jon brings to the table in his ambition to establish the Feversham Arms Hotel as one of the North’s best hotel dining experiences.”

You can also catch Jon demoing at this year’s North Yorkshire Food and Drink Festival, and Harrogate Food and Drink Festival.

The Weathervane Restaurant at The Feversham Arms Helmsley serves 6pm – 9pm daily, and is open to non-residents, as well as hotel guests. Two courses priced at £49 pp and Three courses, at £59. Find out more via www.fevershamarmshotel.com

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