Ruth Hansom to open modern British restaurant in North Yorkshire

Ruth Hansom is to open modern British restaurant and wine bar, Hansom, in Bedale, North Yorkshire, in February.

Former Young National Chef of the Year Hansom and husband Mark Hansom-Rigby have taken the lease on a Grade-II listed property, previously home to restaurant Tom and Nellie’s by the family behind Masons of Yorkshire gin.

The chef couple will serve a seven-course tasting menu in the 16-cover ground floor restaurant, while the first floor will be occupied by a wine bar serving small plates for around 30 covers.

Hansom has had a 12-month residency at Samuel’s restaurant on the nearby Swinton estate, which was this week listed in the Michelin Guide.

She said the opportunity had allowed her to build relationships with local suppliers, while increasing her knowledge of growing produce through conversations with the estate’s owner Dame Susan Cunliffe-Lister who she said had “vast amounts of knowledge and could pinpoint the two days or weeks produce would be at its best”.

Hansom said she will maintain a connection with the estate and menus for her new restaurant will be covered with leather from the hides of deer that grazed the land.

She explained that dishes at Hansom will be hyper-seasonal, using classic techniques but with modern flavour combinations and plating.

Hansom – who trained at the Ritz London under executive chef John Williams before being named head chef of the Princess of Shoreditch pub – said the restaurant would be the culmination of her learnings.

She added: “It’s just me and my husband with no backers, it’s a big risk, but we’re in it together.”