Paul Nicholson to head the kitchen at Rockliffe Hall’s Orangery restaurant

Nicholson currently works at The Clock House restaurant in Ripley, Surrey, where he has retained a Michelin-star and three AA rosettes since joining the team in 2020. He will join County Durham-based Rockliffe Hall later this month.

Originally from Bath, Nicholson first trained as a chef through an apprenticeship at the Hilton Hotel before joining the brigade at Bath Priory as a commis pastry chef. Throughout his career the 40 year-old chef has worked at the Yorke Arms in the Yorkshire Dales, Storrs Hall in the Lake District and Lords of the Manor and The Dial House, both in the Cotswolds.

“The Rockliffe Hall estate has so much to offer, particularly the walled kitchen gardens which were redeveloped earlier this year,” he says.

“I’m excited about working with the Orangery team and the array of ingredients that are readily available to forage in the local area, coupled with the excellent produce that is available right on the doorstep.”

Rockliffe Hall opened in November 2009 and is set within 375 acres of grounds on the banks of the River Tees just outside the village of Hurworth in County Durham.

“This is such an exciting time for Rockliffe Hall. We have so many plans in the pipeline as we enter 2023,” says Jason Adams, Rockcliffe managing director.

“Rockliffe Hall is one of the highest rated hotels in England, and both Paul and I are deeply committed to making the Orangery restaurant one of the best dining venues in the country.  Paul is an incredible chef, and I can’t wait to see his ideas and creativity come to fruition as he settles in to the team.”