Latest chef to join stellar line-up of Taste Lancashire Ambassadors

Tim Allen, chef patron of the Michelin starred restaurant, SŌ-LŌ in Aughton, has joined Marketing Lancashire’s esteemed group of Taste Lancashire Ambassadors.

The Taste Lancashire Ambassadors, are incredible chefs from Michelin star venues, award-winning gastro pubs and restaurants in Lancashire, who offer their support to help raise the profile of the county’s food and drink sector to attract more visitors and to secure greater national and international recognition for Lancashire as a destination for food-lovers.

Tim Allen, originally from Huddersfield, opened SŌ-LŌ in 2021; his first solo venture after an impressive career in acclaimed and Michelin starred restaurants in Leeds, London and the South of England. After years of working for others he bravely took the plunge, during a very challenging time for the hospitality sector, and was awarded seventeen months later with his fourth Michelin star – this time for the appropriately named SŌ-LŌ.

Tim has been featured in all the major food guides, in Top 50 Gastropubs and Top 100 Restaurant lists.

He has also been a competitor on the BBC’s Great British Menu. 

Speaking about his new role in Lancashire, Tim said “I’m very happy to join this impressive group of chefs with the aim of putting Lancashire firmly on every food-lovers radar and to help support the county’s wealth of exceptional producers.

“I have always appreciated and respected those who nurture, grow and produce the amazing ingredients that we as chefs then take to the table.  Over the last few years I’ve enjoyed getting to know the producers around me and believe the county is truly blessed in that respect.

“I look forward to seeing SŌ-LŌ develop in Aughton, which now boasts more Michelin stars than any other village in Lancashire, and to working with my fellow Taste Lancashire Ambassadors to attract even more people to the county’s brilliant gastronomy and outstanding produce.”

Tim is currently in the running for The Staff Canteen Chef of the Year Award 2024, voted for by the public and readers of The Staff Canteen. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in London on 11 November. To keep in touch with Tim, his visits to local producers and what’s happening at SŌ-LŌ follow social media accounts @solorestaurant2021 on Instagram and @timallenchef2 on X.

Tim’s fellow Taste Lancashire Ambassadors include: Mark Birchall of Moor Hall and The Barn at Moor Hall in Aughton; Maurizio Bocchi of La Locanda in Gisburn; Chris Bury of The Cartford Inn in Little Eccleston; Lisa Goodwin-Allen of Northcote in Langho; Nigel Haworth of The Three Fishes in Mitton; Paul Heathcote MBE; Stosie Madi of Parkers Arms in Newton-in-Bowland; Oli Martin of Aven in Preston; and Tom Parker of The White Swan in Fence.

For more information about places to eat and drink in Lancashire go to www.VisitLancashire.com/Taste and to find out more about the Taste Lancashire Ambassadors go to www.marketinglancashire.com/ambassadors