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Local chef fired up for top role at luxury resort

Rockliffe Hall, the new hotel, golf and spa development in County Durham, has secured the services of one of the region’s most highly regarded and well-respected up and coming chefs.

Martin Moore joins the multi-million pound development, based in Hurworth near Darlington, as head chef, overseeing all catering operations for the five-star luxury development.

Martin, who had most recently spent more than five years at Seaham Hall, will mastermind menu and food options for Rockliffe Hall’s fine dining restaurant, as well as the bistro restaurant in the spa and the restaurant in the golf clubhouse.

The 35-year-old, who lives in Middlesbrough, said: “This is a dream job for me. Opportunities like this don’t arise often and Rockliffe Hall is a development I’ve kept tabs on for some time. I’m looking forward to bringing the five-star aims of the venue into the kitchens and onto the plates of our guests and visitors.

“I have enjoyed my time at Seaham Hall immensely and leave there with many great memories and experiences. Now is the time, though, for me to start creating a number of new experiences for at Rockliffe Hall.” Martin, who is originally from Belfast, spent four years learning his trade at Judges in Yarm, before moving onto Seaham Hall, which became the first restaurant in the North East to gain a Michelin star two years ago. During his time there, he oversaw Seaham Hall’s events, banqueting and private dining operations, as well as the famed Ozone Restaurant, which won AA rosettes for its stunning pan-Asian cuisine.

The married father, who has one daughter, added: “I can’t wait to get started at Rockliffe Hall. The development is coming on really quickly now and there is lots to do on the food offerings before the golf clubhouse opens in July.”

Martin’s first job will be to agree menu’s and food offerings for all three of Rockliffe Hall’s dining options, starting with the golf menu, which he says will offer the very best locally sourced, home-cooked favourites.
Nick Holmes, managing director of Rockliffe Hall, said: “On meeting Martin, we didn’t need any persuading that his passion and skills in the kitchen, coupled with his insistence on sourcing the very best local ingredients, was the perfect blend for us.

“The fact that we have found our head chef living almost on our doorstep further strengthens our conviction that the North East is one of the greatest places in the UK to be creating a five-star development of this scale. We’re thrilled to have Martin on board.”

Joining Martin in the kitchens at Rockliffe Hall will be Luke Taylor. He arrives as senior chef from Solberge Hall Hotel and Restaurant in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

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