Wignall moves to Devonshire Arms

The head chef of country house hotel Michael's Nook is joining the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel at Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire.

Michael Wignall‘s move follows the announcement last month that Reg Gifford, the owner of Michael's Nook, is to close the country house hotel.

Wignall, who has held a Michelin star and four AA rosettes, will be head chef of the 70-seat Burlington restaurant, where he will be given freedom to transform the restaurant's menu when he joins at the start of May. The Burlington has two AA rosettes.

"I needed a new challenge, and I've done four-rosette, one-star food and they want to strive towards that. I would not be going to a two-rosette place if I was not confident I could do something with it," said Wignall.

Wignall will report to executive chef Steve Williams, who headhunted him when he heard about the closure of Michael's Nook.

The Burlington's current head chef, Neil Waterfield, has moved to oversee the entire food operation at sister property the Devonshire Fell in Burnsall, North Yorkshire.

by Sara Guild