Middleton Lodge Estate wins big at Michelin Awards

Head chef at Forge restaurant, Jake Jones, has been honoured with Michelin’s Young Chef of the Year, and the estate secured the Michelin Green Star for its commitment to ethical and environmental standards.

The 32-year-old chef joined the North Yorkshire estate in 2021, learning to work with the landscape and starting the journey of creating the new Forge dining experience – following an ‘estate-to-plate’ ethos.

Jake Jones wins the prestigious award less than a year of opening Forge.

He said: “I’m overjoyed to receive Michelin’s Young Chef of the Year award.

“I’ve worked closely with the estate owner, James, and general manager, Glen, to develop the Forge experience. I’d like to thank them and the kitchen, front of house, and gardening teams who have helped make this possible.”

James Allison, estate owner, said: “The team and I are so proud of Jake for receiving such a milestone achievement within a year of opening Forge. To be celebrating this, and the Michelin Green Star is amazing, we’re delighted”.

Sustainability is ingrained in Middleton Lodge’s restoration initiatives. The estate has researched and implemented various sustainable practices, including biomass heating, borehole water usage, a biodigester, electric kitchens, and recycling and reuse initiatives. Beehives have been introduced to enhance pollination and produce estate honey.

A significant investment was made in restoring the original 2-acre garden, redesigned by Tom Stuart-Smith and completed in 2018. This garden now yields seasonal produce for the estate kitchens, reducing food miles and championing the estate-to-plate ethos. Recently, additional greenhouses and raised beds have been installed to increase the produce grown on the estate.

James Allison added: “I’d like to thank the wonderful team we have at Middleton Lodge for their passion, hard work and dedication; it’s this that makes moments like these so special.

Restoring the estate in the most environmentally conscious, sustainable way is at the core of what we do, which is why the Michelin Green Star means so much.

I’d also like to thank Ross Forder, our Coach House head chef, for his creativity and dedication to our ‘estate to plate’ ethos.”

Those looking to dine at Forge can choose between the 6-course tasting menu (£65pp with wine pairing at £55pp) or the ten-course tasting menu (£105pp with wine pairing £75pp). Reservations can be made for Thursday to Sunday evenings only. Room reservations can be made at Middleton Lodge Estate, with prices range between £240 and £440, based on a bed and continental breakfast rate.

www.middletonlodge.co.uk

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