Yahoo News Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen's food guide to the Ribble Valley, Lancashire
Head chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen joined Michelin-starred restaurant, hotel and cookery school Northcote, near Blackburn, at the age of 20, in 2001. Since then, she has risen to acclaim for her seasonal Lancastrian fare (and a winning stint on Great British Menu).
Each year, Northcote hosts a festival of gastronomy, Obsession (Jan 18-Feb 3 2019). This year’s line-up of guest chefs includes Ollie Dabbous of Hide in Mayfair and Norbert Niederkofler of the three Michelin-starred Restaurant St Hubertus in Italy, to name just two.
But beyond that, says Goodwin-Allen, the Ribble Valley has established itself as a destination for fantastic food and drink. Here are her local recommendations.
The White Swan at Fence
A post shared by The White Swan (@whiteswanatfence) on Oct 27, 2018 at 6:29am PDT
“This village pub restaurant was awarded a Michelin star this year, and young chef Tom Parker started out at Northcote. It’s very friendly, and the value for money is fantastic. Drinks-wise, there’s Timothy Taylor’s real ales and their own fruit-infused spirits: rhubarb gin, burnt orange whisky, blackcurrant vodka and cherry brandy.”
White Swan Hotel, 300 Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, Burnley BB12 9QA; 01282 611773; whiteswanatfence.co.uk
The Bowland Food Hall
A post shared by Bowland Food Hall (@bowlandfoodhall) on Oct 18, 2018 at 4:00am PDT
“There are fish markets, a brewery, artisan gin, produce from Alston Dairy, a café, meat counter and local vegetables for sale, as well as amazing cheese counters. If you pop in you’ll come out with plenty. It doubles up as an events venue, too.”
Holmes Mill, Greenacre Street, Clitheroe BB7 1EB; holmesmill.co.uk
The Inn at Whitewell
A post shared by Inn At Whitewell (@inn_at_whitewell) on Feb 15, 2018 at 8:52am PST
“Fantastic beers and an in-house vintners: a great place to go for a meal with the family, and dog-friendly. Think braised shoulder of lamb, game from the moors, delicious steak and really good carved ham salads.”
Forest of Bowland, Lancashire, Clitheroe BB7 3AT; innatwhitewell.com
Wellgate Fisheries
“The fish is fresh from the coast: Morecambe Bay brown shrimps, wild sea bass, flooks, Lune estuary whitebait, grey mullet and wild salmon and River Lune sea trout. And Clitheroe is a beautiful historic market town.”
5 Wellgate, Clitheroe BB7 2DS; @wellgatefishmongers
Roy Porter Butchers
“You can go in and ask for certain cuts from native breeds raised on nearby farms, like an Aberdeen Angus fillet or a Dexter. They also do delicious home-made pork pies, sausages and dry-cured bacon.”
9 Bridge Road, Chatburn, Clitheroe BB7 4AW; forestofbowland.com
