Opening from 13th November to 3rd January, the winter wonderland experience features a clear roof so skaters can enjoy the ice rain or shine, alongside mulled wine cabins, hot chocolate stalls, seasonal street food, and live entertainment. It sits just a short walk from THOR’S signature winter tipi, which returns to the gardens for its fourth consecutive year.

Tickets go on sale today (24th September), with 45-minute skating sessions starting at £12 for adults, £11 for children, and £31.50 for family passes. To celebrate the launch, skaters can grab 20% off all online ticket bookings made before 30th September using the code THORSONICE20.

“Outdoor skating is such a wonderful part of traditional Christmas fun and bringing it back to York city centre after 16 years feels really special,” said Amanda Monaghan, Director at THOR’S tipi. “We’ve created a truly immersive attraction with all ages catered for, and we can’t wait to see families and friends enjoying themselves and soaking up the atmosphere.”

Parent and toddler sessions will be available alongside general public skating, with group bookings and private hire options also on offer at thorsoniceyork.co.uk.

Calling their challenge ‘Running Costs’, the group set off from Saltburn on Saturday 19th September. They ran through the night in relay stages via Staithes, Whitby, Helmsley, York, and Tadcaster, before joining up to cross the finish line together on Sunday morning.

So far, they’ve raised more than £2,000 to help cover the day-to-day costs of looking after over 550 children with life-shortening conditions across Yorkshire.

“We wanted to take on a challenge together because we see every day just how important the care Martin House provides is to children and families,” said Hollie Siu, Care Team Nurse at Martin House. “Running more than 100 miles through the day and night was a huge challenge, but knowing we were raising money to help keep that care going gave us plenty of motivation. The support we had along the route and when we arrived back at Martin House was brilliant, and we’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated.”

It costs around £13 million every year to keep Martin House running, with most of that coming from voluntary donations and local fundraising efforts like this one.

Taking place across Thursday 29th and Friday 30th October, the free walking experience will guide visitors through six mysterious city-centre locations, uncovering eerie legends, local heritage, and atmospheric animation along the way.

Designed to cater to all ages, two family-friendly tours will run each day at 2pm and 4pm, offering younger visitors a spooky adventure. For those seeking a genuinely chilling experience, a 6pm tour recommended for ages 15 and over will explore the darker side of the Wool City’s past. Attendees are encouraged to wrap up warm, or turn up in full fancy dress, for the chance to win a Bradford City Centre Gift Card for best-dressed on each tour.

“Bradford has a rich and fascinating past, with stories hidden around every corner,” said Leanne Holmes, Project Manager for Bradford BID. “Whispers in the Wool City brings some of those tales to life in a fun, accessible way. We’re inviting people to gather their friends and family, wrap up warm or in their favourite fancy dress, and join us for an unforgettable journey through the city’s more mysterious side.”

While the event is completely free to attend, spaces are limited across all six tours, meaning booking is essential.

England’s Part in the Story

Roulette is thought of as a French game, and the name means “little wheel”. Its roots, however, run through Georgian England. Many gaming historians believe the horizontal gaming wheel was invented around 1720 for an English game called roly poly, which was banned by the Gaming Acts of 1739 and 1740. Those early wheels mark the start of more than 300 years of fascination with the spin.

The ban didn’t dampen enthusiasm for long. Because the new laws didn’t explicitly cover letters, a game called EO, short for “even odd”, appeared in the mid-1740s. Its wheel had 20 sections marked E and 20 marked O, and instead of a zero, a few sections belonged to the house to give it an edge. EO became very popular in the 1770s until a statute banned it around 1782.

This was the age of the fashionable spa resort, when the wealthy travelled to take the waters and enjoy an active social calendar of assemblies, dancing and cards. Yorkshire’s own spa towns, Scarborough and Harrogate, were part of that Georgian leisure culture. They helped make the county a place where people went to be entertained.

The Wheel Comes of Age in France

Across the Channel, the game took its modern form. Roulette in its present shape was being played in Paris as early as 1796. Early French wheels had both a zero and a double zero. In 1842, François and Louis Blanc introduced a new wheel with only a single zero, and it quickly caught on. That single-zero wheel is the one we now call European roulette, and it remains the favourite of British players because the lower house edge gives better odds. 

Why the Game Has Endured

What makes roulette so captivating after all this time? Part of it is simplicity. You can learn the basics in minutes: pick a number, a colour, odds or evens, and watch the wheel. There’s also real depth for anyone who wants it, from split and corner bets to the “call bets” of French roulette.

Then there’s the theatre. Few moments in any casino match the spin itself: the ball racing around the rim, slowing, bouncing between pockets and finally dropping. Roulette is as much about the anticipation as the result.

The online presence has done the game wonders, like with most casino games. It is so accessible and easy to play roulette online as long as you are legally allowed. You could sign up to one of the best roulette casinos, which in our opinion is Boyle Casino. You can then make a small deposit and begin playing immediately. Not only that but they have so many different variations, all at your fingertips.

Legend adds to the appeal too. A popular story credits the French mathematician Blaise Pascal with creating an early wheel while trying to build a perpetual motion machine. Another notes that the numbers 1 to 36 add up to 666, which earned the game the nickname “the devil’s wheel”. Historians debate the details, but the myths have only added to the game’s mystique.

Roulette in Modern Yorkshire

Britain legalised casinos properly with the Gaming Act 1968, and roulette soon became a centrepiece of the county’s gaming venues. Cities such as Leeds and Sheffield offer the full casino experience, with croupiers, chips and the famous green baize.

For Yorkshire players, the county’s racing heritage fits naturally alongside the game. A day at York, Doncaster or Ripon races and an evening at the roulette table share the same appeal: a mix of skill, chance and social occasion.

From the Table to the Screen

The biggest change in recent years has been online play. Live dealer roulette streams real wheels and professional croupiers straight to phones and laptops, so players from the Dales to the coast can enjoy the atmosphere without leaving home. New variants add multipliers and faster rounds, while classic European tables stay as popular as ever.

Online or in person, the best way to enjoy roulette is to treat it as entertainment. Set a budget, take breaks and stick to UK-licensed operators, which must offer tools such as deposit limits and time-outs.

A Timeless Spin

From Georgian gaming wheels to live streamed tables, roulette has stayed popular for more than three centuries because it offers something rare: a simple game full of suspense, style and history. In Yorkshire, where people value a good day out, it’s easy to see why the wheel keeps turning.

Taking up residence in the Guard’s compartment of a historic Tri-composite carriage in Station Hall from Wednesday 2nd December to Wednesday 23rd December, Santa will be greeting children and handing out gifts. Extended, relaxed sessions will also be hosted for visitors who benefit from a quieter, more flexible setting.

Tickets cost £15 per child and include a mini hot chocolate plus 10% off in the shop. Visitors who book both the Father Christmas experience and the interactive Wonderlab gallery together for the same day will also unlock a 25% discount on Wonderlab entry.

Alongside the ticketed Grotto, the museum is offering a full schedule of free activities, including Christmas letter writing, festive science at the STEM Shed, calendar design workshops, live carols from a local choir on select days, and seasonal treats served aboard the restored Countess of York carriage.

“Our Father Christmas experience sold out within days of release last year, so this year we can’t wait to bring it back bigger than ever along with a whole range of festive activities,” said Sarah Price, Head of Public Programmes at the National Railway Museum. “Our amazing free museum is the perfect day out for families all year round, so we’re delighted to be sprinkling a little Christmas magic across the whole museum to make it extra special for all our visitors this festive season.”

Positioned on Coach Road along the popular route between Whitby and the North York Moors National Park, the Grade II listed pub features panoramic views across the Esk Valley, three letting bedrooms, owners’ accommodation, and outdoor trading space. Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co completed the sale at a freehold asking price of £300,000.

New owners David and Katie Cattley plan to sympathetically restore and refurbish the characterful building before reopening its doors to the village in 2027.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have secured The Plough Inn,” said David and Katie Cattley. “As local people, we understand just how important pubs like this are to their communities, and we’re passionate about bringing this fantastic building back to life. Our vision is to sympathetically restore and refurbish the property, celebrate its heritage, and create a warm, welcoming pub that the village can once again be proud of.”

Marslie McGregor, Senior Business Agent at Christie & Co, added: “The Plough Inn represented an excellent opportunity for an owner-operator to acquire a characterful village pub with significant potential. We are delighted to have completed the sale to David and his partner, whose passion for the hospitality industry and commitment to restoring this much-loved local asset made them the ideal purchasers.”

The Grade II listed property – which blends Georgian origins with Victorian charm – features 14 individually designed en-suite bedrooms, three lounges, a well-appointed bar, and two dining rooms seating up to 75 guests. Following a comprehensive refurbishment of its public spaces in 2019, the venue is widely regarded as one of the region’s premier hospitality spots for both locals and tourists exploring the Three Peaks or the Settle–Carlisle railway.

The sale comes as two generations of the Reynolds family prepare to step back after 24 years at the helm. Owners Paul and Jenny Reynolds, along with Paul’s parents, have carefully built up the business over more than two decades, establishing a loyal following and strong year-round trade.

“We and our family have thoroughly enjoyed owning and developing The Traddock over the past 24 years and are incredibly proud of what it has become,” says owner Paul Reynolds. “Following a period of significant investment and growth, we feel the time is right for my parents to step back and focus on retirement, while Jenny and I have some time free to pursue other ventures. We hope to pass the business on to a new owner who will continue to build on its success.”

Beyond its current trading success, the property also comes with active planning permission for further expansion, including additional guest bedrooms and expanded restaurant and event space.

Robert Smithson, director in Colliers’ Hotels Agency team, added: “The Traddock represents a rare opportunity to acquire a best-in-class country house hotel in one of the UK’s most desirable national park locations. The business combines an exceptional reputation with strong underlying trading performance, while also offering clear potential for further growth.”

Taking place tomorrow (Thursday, 24th September), any student who buys a main meal in-store and shows a valid Student ID will score a voucher for a free main meal to use anytime throughout October.

Vouchers are being handed out on a first-come, first-served basis across all Boojum restaurants, so you’ll want to head down early before they run out.

Alongside the voucher giveaway, Boojum is also running its huge ‘Haul in One’ Freshers competition. One lucky student will win a €6,000 prize bundle packed with student essentials, plus free Boojum for a whole year. Entries are free online at boojummex.com/Haul until Sunday, 4th October.

“Freshers is always a big one for us,” says Paul McCullagh, Head of Marketing at Boojum. “We wanted to give students something they can enjoy while they’re getting stuck into Freshers, so we’ve got over 20,000 free meals up for grabs. It’s a simple way for us to give something back while everyone lands on their feet for the new term.”

The research approach for this ranking

Public data formed the backbone of this ranking. User reviews, official websites, ratings directories, and documented service histories were all pulled together for each option considered. Only providers with a verifiable track record in the UK van insurance market made the cut.

→ See the full research breakdown

• Acorn Insurance – Best for van insurance and specialist motor cover for underserved drivers
• Compare the Market – Best for insurance product comparison and switching
• Adrian Flux – Best for specialist motor and van insurance
• Money Super Market – Best for van insurance comparison and multi-product financial services
• Day Insure – Best for temporary and short-term van insurance

Why Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK Matter for Your Van

Getting van insurance wrong is an expensive mistake. Premiums have risen across the board, and a policy that doesn’t accurately reflect commercial van use can leave a tradesperson, sole trader, or courier driver seriously exposed when a claim comes in.

The gap between personal and commercial use cover is where most problems start. A standard policy may not cover tools stolen from the back of your van or liability for third-party damage during a delivery run.

Choosing a provider with real experience in this space means fewer nasty surprises at claim time. It can also mean a lower annual premium versus the market average, a better claims settlement ratio from the insurer, and a much shorter average time to get a claim resolved when something does go wrong.

Top 5 Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK Breakdown and Comparison

Note: All data in this table is sourced from review platforms and the official websites of the listed companies.

Acorn Insurance – Best for Van Insurance and Specialist Cover for Underserved Drivers

Specialist Cover for Growing Van Drivers

What Does Acorn Insurance Do?

Acorn Insurance is a specialist UK insurance broker that has been operating since 1982, which puts them well over 40 years of real-world experience. They cover car, taxi, van, fleet, and motor trade insurance, plus non-standard home insurance. Their particular strength is reaching drivers whose vehicle use doesn’t fit a standard policy, including business van users, couriers, and young drivers. Drivers who need proper van insurance in the UK through a broker that actually understands commercial and courier use will find that Acorn Insurance serves more than 500,000 live policyholders, which speaks to the scale of trust built over decades.

Why Does Acorn Insurance Stand Out for Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK?

Acorn Insurance fills a genuine gap in the market by focusing on drivers whose needs mainstream insurers often overlook, such as couriers, business van users, and young van drivers. Their combination of flexible payment options and 24/7 claims support is exactly what a sole trader or small business owner needs when something goes wrong at the worst possible time.

Summary of Real User Reviews:

Acorn Insurance holds a solid 4-star Trustpilot rating across more than 16,000 reviews, which is a meaningful sample size (not just a handful of cherry-picked comments). Customers consistently mention the helpfulness of staff during the claims process and the ease of getting set up. The industry recognition, including being shortlisted for Most Advanced Insurer at the British Insurance Technology Awards, adds credibility to what customers are already saying.

Compare the Market – Best for Insurance Product Comparison and Switching

What Does Compare the Market Do?

Compare the Market is a price comparison platform founded in 2006 and part of the BGL Group. The platform lets drivers compare van, car, home, life, and travel insurance products side by side, pulling quotes from multiple providers so the shopper doesn’t have to approach each insurer individually. It operates on a commission basis and has built a large enough partner network to make it genuinely useful for anyone shopping for a new van policy at renewal time.

Why Does Compare the Market Stand Out for Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK?

For drivers who want to see a broad spread of quotes quickly, Compare the Market removes the legwork of approaching individual insurers one by one. That kind of time-saving is genuinely useful for a busy tradesperson who just wants a competitive quote before the renewal deadline hits.

Summary of Real User Reviews:

The Meerkat campaign has made Compare the Market one of the most recognisable brands in UK insurance (honestly, it’s hard to forget). Sentiment around the platform is generally positive for ease of use, though the CMA fine of £17.9 million in 2020 for competition law breaches is worth being aware of. Reviews tend to focus on the comparison experience itself rather than any single insurer, which is worth keeping in mind.

Adrian Flux – Best for Specialist Motor and Van Insurance

What Does Adrian Flux Do?

Adrian Flux is the UK’s largest specialist motor insurance broker, founded in 1973 as a family-run business in Norfolk. They compare quotes from more than 30 insurers to find cover for vans, trucks, and cars, including niche vehicle types that standard brokers simply won’t touch. The company uses UK-based staff and a direct service model, which means no automated phone trees and no being bounced between departments (a small thing that actually matters a lot when you’re trying to sort out a claim).

Why Does Adrian Flux Stand Out for Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK?

Specialist brokers often cover the vehicles and use cases that comparison sites and mainstream insurers leave behind, and Adrian Flux has built their entire business around exactly that gap. Winning the WhatVan? Van Insurer of the Year award five times, including 2023, 2024, and 2025, is the kind of consistent industry recognition that’s genuinely hard to fake.

Summary of Real User Reviews:

The WhatVan? wins aren’t just marketing; they’re user-voted, which gives them real weight. Customers particularly value the direct phone-based service and the willingness of staff to find answers for unusual or high-risk vehicle situations. That level of personal attention is rare at this scale, and it shows up consistently in customer feedback.

Money Super Market – Best for Van Insurance Comparison and Multi-Product Financial Services

What Does Money Super Market Do?

MoneySuperMarket is a technology-led price comparison platform founded in 1993 and listed on the London Stock Exchange as part of the FTSE 250. The platform covers van and car insurance, home insurance, energy, mortgages, credit cards, and loans, making it one of the broadest financial comparison services in the UK. They back all published content with expert review and regular updates, so the information a driver sees is at least meant to reflect the current market (not last year’s pricing).

Why Does Money Super Market Stand Out for Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK?

Drivers who want to compare van insurance alongside their other financial products in one place will find MoneySuperMarket’s multi-category setup genuinely convenient, especially for small business owners juggling multiple policies. Over 30 years of operation and FTSE 250 listing status means there’s a level of institutional accountability here that newer platforms can’t match yet.

Summary of Real User Reviews:

Formal review data wasn’t available in the dataset for MoneySuperMarket’s van insurance offering, but the platform’s long-standing reputation and editorial rigour signal a solid baseline. That usually means the platform performs consistently on ease of use and quote accuracy, even if individual insurer results vary once a driver clicks through to buy.

Day Insure – Best for Temporary and Short-Term Van Insurance

What Does Day Insure Do?

Day Insure is an FCA-registered insurance broker founded in 2005, and they actually invented the temporary car insurance market (not a small claim). The company specialises in short-term motor cover from as little as one hour up to 30 days, including temporary van insurance for drivers who need pay-as-you-go flexibility. Backed by Aviva and acquired by Abacai in 2021, they work with major insurers including Allianz and offer immediate online quote-to-purchase capability with no lengthy paperwork.

Why Does Day Insure Stand Out for Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK?

Borrowing a van, moving house, or covering a one-off delivery job doesn’t warrant a full annual policy, and Day Insure is built precisely for those situations. Their three BSI International standards certifications alongside Investors in People Gold status suggest a company that takes operational quality seriously, not just the speed of the sign-up process.

Summary of Real User Reviews:

Over 55,000 Trustpilot reviews gives Day Insure a review base that’s genuinely hard to dismiss. Customers consistently praise how fast and painless the cover activation process is, which is exactly what you need when you’re sorting insurance for a same-day job. The Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award backs up what customers are already saying about their experience.

Research Methodology and Selection Process

Building this list required more than a quick scan of the top Google results. The goal was to identify UK van insurance providers and platforms with a genuine track record, not just a polished website.

Initial Data Collection

The starting point was a broad sweep across multiple sources: insurance directories, broker listing platforms, Trustpilot, Google reviews, Defaqto ratings, and the official websites of individual providers. A longlist of potential candidates was assembled based on their presence across these channels, their stated areas of specialism, and the volume of publicly available customer feedback attached to each one.

Shortlisting Phase

Options without verifiable public reviews or documented operational history were removed early. This phase involved looking closely at review patterns across platforms rather than relying on a single source. Providers with inflated or sparse review profiles were flagged and set aside, and only those with consistent, multi-platform feedback made it through to the next stage.

Verification of Claims

Each company’s stated strengths were cross-referenced against what real customers were actually saying. Award claims were checked against the awarding bodies where possible. Service descriptions on official websites were compared against third-party writeups and review content to identify any material gaps between what was promised and what was being delivered.

Authority and Industry Contribution Layer

Beyond reviews, each provider was assessed for broader signals of authority. This included industry award wins, coverage in trade publications, mentions in reputable financial media, and participation in recognised industry bodies. Providers that appeared consistently across multiple credible sources scored more highly than those relying on a single strong data point.

Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK-Specific Evidence

The final filter looked at each company’s relevance to van drivers, tradespeople, and commercial vehicle users. This meant checking for dedicated van insurance product pages, specialist policy language covering commercial use, tools cover, and fleet options, as well as verified reviews from van drivers. Generic motor insurance providers without a clear van-specific offer were excluded even if their general ratings were strong.

How to Choose the Right Van Insurance Services For Drivers In The UK

Picking van insurance isn’t just about finding the lowest quote. The right policy for a sole trader delivering packages is very different from what a tradesperson needs to cover tools, a fleet manager needs for multiple vehicles, or a young driver needs to get affordable cover at all. Here’s what to weigh up before committing.

• Industry and Domain Experience: Look for brokers or comparison platforms with proven experience in commercial van and specialist motor insurance, not just general motor cover. Forty-plus years in the market (like Adrian Flux or Acorn Insure) tends to mean a deeper understanding of edge cases.
• Features and Service: Check what’s actually included. Does the policy cover hire and reward use? Tools and equipment? Public liability for tradespeople? A cheap policy with major exclusions can cost far more when a claim is rejected. 
• Pricing Structure: Understand the full cost, including compulsory excess, voluntary excess, and the impact of no-claims discounts. Compare the annual premium against the market average for your vehicle type and usage category before deciding.
• Results Measurement: Ask about the insurer’s claims settlement ratio and average claim resolution time. A fast payout matters far more than a marginally lower premium when you depend on your van for income.
• Industry Knowledge and Compliance: All FCA-regulated brokers must meet minimum standards, but the best providers go further. Look for evidence of FCA compliance, ABI guidelines adherence, and Road Traffic Act 1988 awareness baked into how they describe their policies.

Bottom Line

UK van insurance is genuinely more complex than standard car cover, and the stakes are higher when a vehicle is tied to your income. The providers on this list cover a range of needs, from specialist brokers like Acorn Insure and Adrian Flux for non-standard risks, to comparison platforms like MoneySuperMarket for quick quote sweeps, and Day Insure for short-term flexibility. As premium costs keep rising, choosing a provider that understands your specific use case will matter more, not less, in the years ahead.

From working alongside global culinary teams to sourcing peak-season Yorkshire produce, Bonello shares how he is building a modern, authentic food offering at the city’s only five-star hotel.

Inside the Kitchen with Kevin Bonello at The Grand York

You’ve spent years in fine dining and Michelin-starred kitchens. What drew you to take on the food vision at The Grand, York, and how would you describe the identity you are building there in three words? 

I’d say seasonal, precise and bold.

I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career to work in some fantastic kitchens and alongside chefs who have really shaped the way I approach food. My years in Michelin-starred restaurants gave me a very strong grounding in technique and precision, while travelling and working internationally exposed me to different ingredients, flavours and ways of thinking about food.

I’ve always admired chefs such as Eric Frechon, particularly his philosophy of respecting both the product and the region you are cooking in. That is something I strongly believe in myself.

When the opportunity came to join The Grand, what excited me was the chance to bring all of that experience into a completely new environment. Yorkshire has an incredible natural larder, so there is a lot for a chef to work with. The aim is to take the skills and techniques I’ve developed throughout my career and use them to showcase the very best local and seasonal produce we have around us.

The new approach at The Grand focuses on food that is considered rather than performative. In a world full of theatrical dining trends, what does considered cooking mean to you on the plate?

For me, considered cooking starts with getting the fundamentals right. It is about attention to detail, understanding your ingredients, seasoning properly and, importantly, tasting your food throughout the process. Those things might sound simple, but they make an enormous difference.

My fine-dining background has naturally given me a respect for precision and technique, but technique should always have a purpose. You should never add something to a plate simply to demonstrate that you can do it. The ingredient has to remain at the centre of the dish.

However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for theatre. We are actually seeing guests become much more interested in tableside elements and interaction in the dining room. They want to ask questions about where an ingredient has come from, how something has been prepared or why certain flavours have been put together. I think that kind of theatre is very positive because it creates a genuine connection between the kitchen, the team and the guest.

Ultimately, though, the food still has to deliver. The experience around a dish should enhance it rather than distract from it.

Yorkshire has one of the richest food larders in the UK. Since taking on the role, which local ingredients or producers have excited you the most? 

Yorkshire strawberries at their peak are fantastic, and spring lamb is another ingredient I particularly look forward to. Yorkshire rhubarb is very special too. It has such a strong identity and history within the region and is recognised far beyond Yorkshire.

We are also lucky enough to have honey produced from hives on the roof of The Grand. Having an ingredient that is quite literally produced at the hotel is wonderful for a chef because there is a real story and sense of place behind it.

How do you ensure that a grand, historic five-star hotel feels genuinely rooted in Yorkshire’s food story, rather than serving a generic luxury hotel menu? 

The Grand is a beautiful, historic building and there is naturally a sense of occasion when people come here. For me, luxury doesn’t have to mean using an expensive ingredient simply because it is expensive. It can be taking a fantastic local ingredient at the peak of its season, treating it with respect and using technique to make it the best version of itself. That is much more interesting to me, and it gives the food an identity that belongs here.

What do you think modern hotel guests are actually looking for when they sit down to dinner today compared to five or ten years ago?

I think authenticity has become much more important. Guests travel more, they are more knowledgeable about food, and they are interested in understanding what makes a destination different. If they are visiting Yorkshire, they don’t necessarily want to eat exactly the same dishes they could find in a luxury hotel somewhere else in the world. They want the food to have a connection to the place they are visiting.

At the same time, expectations have broadened. Guests want choice and variety, and they are increasingly curious about different flavours, ingredients and styles of dining.

People also ask more questions now. They want to know where produce has come from, how a dish has been prepared and the story behind it. I think that’s a really positive development because it encourages restaurants and chefs to think more carefully about what they are serving and why.

When you start developing a brand new dish for The Grand, where does the process usually begin for you? Is it an ingredient, a memory, or a technique?

It always begins with the ingredient.

I look at what is at its peak at that particular point in the season and make that the core of the dish. That ingredient becomes the canvas and everything else develops around it.

From there, we think about which flavours naturally complement it, what techniques will bring out its best qualities and how we can introduce different textures without losing sight of the original product.

How do you see the relationship between the main restaurant menus and the interactive experiences over at the Cookery School developing?

They have a very natural relationship, and I think that is one of the things that makes the food offering at The Grand quite unique.

We can take dishes, techniques or ideas that guests particularly enjoy in the restaurants and develop Cookery School classes around them. It gives people an opportunity to go beyond simply eating a dish and actually understand some of the thinking and technique behind it.

Having those different elements under one roof creates a real culinary ecosystem. We are constantly learning from what our guests enjoy and feeding that back into what we do.

How do you manage to stay inspired and keep pushing creative boundaries when running such a busy, high-pressure operation?

The people around me are a huge source of inspiration. We have a large culinary team at The Grand made up of chefs from different countries, cultures and backgrounds. Everybody brings their own memories of food, traditions and experiences into the kitchen, and I think it is important to create an environment where those ideas can be shared.

As a Culinary Director, I don’t believe creativity should only ever come from one person. Some of the most interesting conversations start when somebody talks about a dish they grew up eating or a technique that is used in their culture, and then we begin thinking about how that could influence something we’re working on.

Ingredients keep us creative too. Seasonality means the kitchen never stands still. Just as you become comfortable working with one ingredient, the season changes and something new arrives. That forces you to keep thinking, tasting and developing.

For me, that’s one of the most exciting things about being a chef. You are always learning.

If you could point to one single dish currently on the menu that best captures where The Grand is heading right now, which one would it be and why?

It would have to be the salt-baked celeriac. For me, it captures a lot of what we are trying to achieve because it starts with a very humble ingredient. Celeriac isn’t something people necessarily associate with luxury or fine dining, but that is exactly what makes it interesting.

We take that one ingredient and explore it in different ways, using different techniques, textures and forms to demonstrate both its versatility and the craftsmanship of the chefs working with it. It is very considered: nothing needs to be added simply for the sake of making the plate feel more luxurious.

When that happens, the end result can be mind-blowing.

To explore the current menu at The Grand or book an experience at the Cookery School, visit: www.thegrandyork.co.uk/