Langley Castle has appointed Luke Newton as its new head chef.
Luke joins the four-star (AA Silver), 2AA Rosette hotel and wedding venue near Hexham with nearly two decades of award-winning experience at high-end restaurants and hotels.
Luke will we working across the castle’s dining experiences – including the fine dining Josephine Restaurant; relaxed dining and afternoon tea in the Drawing Room; and the venue’s many wedding experiences.
Luke’s passion for sourcing high-quality, in-season, local and sustainable produce will be evidenced throughout new menus. Supporting him will be sous chef Joel Davies, who will mark his first anniversary in the Langley Castle kitchen in April.
Luke said: “Joel and the team have been incredibly welcoming, and all are hugely talented. The kitchen feels like a sleeping giant and I’m excited to help develop its potential. The North of England is very special to me, and it is humbling to work in such a historic venue. My aim is to create food that has an innate simplicity and honesty, and is rooted in the area. We shall strive to make it the very best it can be.
“I’ve loved cooking from a very young age and from the moment I donned a white jacket, I knew it was my destiny. I respect quality ingredients, provenance and traceability – and believe great teams are built on ambition and consistency. My new team has all the attributes to take the kitchen to another level.”
Langley Castle’s general manager, Mohamed Serag, added: “We are delighted to welcome Luke into the Langley Castle family in our 40th year as a hotel and restaurant. We believe this appointment has provided us with a head chef who can proficiently leverage the skills and enthusiasm of his team and quickly help us move towards our objective of becoming a three-Rosette establishment. During the exciting journey ahead, there is little doubt that we shall provide guests, wedding parties and non-residents with memorable and outstanding dining experiences.”
