The new chef at a Michelin-Star restaurant near Keswick will bring his experience of working in some of Europe’s most influential restaurants.
Sam Miller has taken up his role at The Cottage in the Wood, the ‘restaurant with rooms’ 1,000ft up in Whinlatter Forest.
He spent four years as executive sous chef at the world-famous Noma in Copenhagen, as right-hand man in the kitchen to legendary chef-owner Rene Redzepi. During this time Noma was named the World’s Best Restaurant four times.
The 40-year-old Yorkshireman is replacing Ben Wilkinson, who has moved on to a new head chef role at a country house hotel and spa in Sussex, along with his partner and front of house manager Monika Zurawska.
Owners Kath and Liam Berney paid tribute to the couple.
“Ben and Monika joined us in 2017 and during that time we have achieved so much - a first Michelin star in 2019, the UK’s Top 100 Restaurants list and Top 50 Boutique Hotels in 2021, Restaurant of the Year at the Cumbria Food Awards, and the Taste Cumbria award at the Cumbria Tourism Awards.
"They have our gratitude for all they have achieved with us, and all our best wishes for the future," said Liam.
Of Ben’s replacement, Liam said: “To have recruited such a talented chef as Sam Miller has created an enormous buzz around The Cottage and we are looking forward to the exciting changes he will bring.
“Sam will bring a creative, contemporary and perhaps more informal approach to our dining experience."
Sam said: “It's good to be joining such an established restaurant with a strong reputation and in such a beautiful location.
“I share Kath and Liam's passion for Cumbria and the north of England, and undertaking our work in a way that shows consideration for the environment and our surroundings. This will be expressed in my cooking, along with a focus on seasonality and quality of ingredients”.
Sam has already established a valuable link with Riverview Cottage Farm near Carlisle, who practice organic farming, and will be growing crops directly for The Cottage in the Wood.
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