Jesmond Dene House restaurant appoints two senior chefs

Jesmond Dene House, the Newcastle hotel and restaurant, has revealed details of two senior chef appointments.

Andrew Richardson will become the new executive chef, taking over from Jose Graziosi, who had been at the hotel since its opening in September 2005, while Michael Waugh will become the new chef de cuisine.

The pair have both worked with Jesmond Dene's co-owner Terry Laybourne before, at his Michelin-starred restaurant, 21 Queen Street, also in Newcastle.

They intend to concentrate on sourcing produce from local suppliers and serve classic dishes with a modern twist, according to Richardson.

"I now have my own chance to promote local food and help make this place one of the leading restaurants in the North of England," he said.

Laybourne said: "Michael and Andrew make a great creative team. With our first-ever festival of food and wine planned for the spring, this is an inspiring time in the kitchens."

Richardson returns from his role as executive chef at the award-winning Araxi restaurant in the Canadian Rockies, having also worked in New York and California over the past eight years.

Waugh was previously at the Black Door restaurant in Newcastle and has also worked at Fisherman's Lodge in Jesmond and the Samling in Windermere, Cumbria.