Northcote boosts Cookery School with two appointments

Michelin-star boutique hotel Northcote has recruited Jason ‘Bruno’ Birkbeck and Emma Lawson to bolster its Cookery School.

Located within the hotel’s Michelin-star kitchen, up to eight students at a time can undertake a variety of full and half day courses covering skills and techniques, entertaining, themed classes, and premium master classes.

Jason, known in the industry as Bruno, rejoins the company as head cookery tutor, bringing several years’ experience working as a chef at well-respected, fine-dining establishments such as The Samling, The Torridon, and Hipping Hall, which he took to three rosette standard.

Jason’s career has also seen him be part of the Northcote family, both at the beginning of his career at the hotel, and most recently as group head chef across Ribble Valley Inns.

Jason’s expertise is complemented by Emma, who joins as junior tutor and brings general kitchen knowledge with specialist patisserie and chocolate experience.

Emma’s career has involved time at The Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa and Bettys Harrogate, as well as study at Leeds City College, where she won Student of the Year.

Jason said: “It’s exciting to be back in the Northcote kitchens and I’m looking forward to bringing my head chef experience to the Cookery School programme. I really get a buzz from working with people, teaching them new skills and inspiring their confidence, as well as developing personally through working with the guest chefs that take classes at the school.”

Throughout the year, there are also several classes taken by Nigel Haworth and executive head chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, as well as a selection of wellknown guest chefs. The Cookery School was added to the hotel in 2014 as part of a £7.5m investment which took the hotel from 14 rooms to 26 rooms. The project also saw a complete refurbishment of the restaurant and bar as well as the addition of a new kitchen, the chefs table and the Louis Roederer Rooms.