Lisa Goodwin-Allen leaves Northcote
After 23 years at Lancashire destination Northcote, executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen has announced she will be leaving to explore new opportunities. The chef has led the kitchen brigade of the Ribble Valley hotel and restaurant since the age of 23, more recently overseeing twinned restaurant The Game Bird, also part of The Stafford Collection. The news comes after planning permission had been granted for a second restaurant in the grounds at Northcote and after the hotel was put up for sale in October last year.
Lights off at Native
After chef Ivan Tisdall-Downes announced his departure from Native last week, the restaurant appears to have closed with immediate effect. The concept, which started life as a street food stall in 2012 was acquired by new investors and opened on the Netherwood Estate in Worcestershire (previously the home of Pensons) in May last year, earning a place on the shortlist for Best New Restaurant at The Good Food Guide Awards 2025. The restaurant is yet to officially confirm the closure.
New from Nieves Barrágan Mohacho
The latest London neighbourhood to have its moment in the sun is Shoreditch, with the news that top chef Nieves Barrágan Mohacho will be opening a new restaurant there in the summer. Legado will follow in Sabor’s footsteps drawing on culinary traditions from all over Spain and is backed by JKS Restaurants (Gymkhana, Plaza Khao Gaeng, Lyle’s among many others). Also new in Shoreditch is Bar Valette, The Knave of Clubs, and the upcoming Singburi opening.
Birch Bakery opens on Skye
Niall Munro, founder of speciality coffee purveyor Birch has opened a new micro bakery and roastery in Portree on Skye. The opening is Birch's third site, alongside the original cafe, also in Portree, and a pint-sized outpost in Inverness which opened last year. With Parisian pastry chef Tessa Biriotti on board, the bakery will supply all Birch venues and offers cafe seating with a behind-the-scenes view of the roasting process.
