Yorke Arms' Paul Nicholson joins the Clock House in Ripley

Paul Nicholson has been appointed head chef of the Clock House in Ripley, joining from the same role at Frances Atkins' the Yorke Arms in Nidderdale, Yorkshire.

Nicholson joins the Michelin-starred Surrey restaurant following the announcement of Fred Clapperton’s departure.

Nicholson said: “The Clock House already has an excellent reputation; the team both in the kitchen and restaurant have created a great dining experience with a relaxed, yet highly professional, environment. I look forward to bringing its guests new dishes and creating a more inclusive, continuously evolving menu."

Owner Serina Drake added: "We considered a number of other highly skilled and suitable chefs for the position. But as well as his obvious culinary talent, Paul demonstrated a clear desire to work closely with me, our manager Iain McArthur and the rest of the team in developing some very exciting plans we are already working on for the restaurant.”

Clapperton is set to join the Seren Collection’s Coast restaurant in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, next month, having been head chef at the Clock House for four years.

He joined the Michelin-starred Drake's in 2012 as a demi chef de partie and worked his way up to sous chef under Steve Drake in 2013. He was then promoted to head chef and the restaurant was renamed the Clock House in 2016 when Drake left the restaurant following a divorce settlement with wife Serina Drake. Clapperton regained the restaurant’s Michelin star one year later.

The Clock House’s Fred Clapperton to join Seren Collection’s Coast >>

Fred Clapperton appointed head chef of Drake's >>