One of the North East’s most experienced chefs is to take the helm at Lumley Castle Hotel.
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Christopher Delaney has worked at some of the North East’s best-known hotels including The Lord Crewe Arms at Blanchland, Matfen Hall, Close House and Newcastle’s Jesmond Dene House Hotel.
Having also spent seven years working under the legendary Albert Roux, at Slaley Hall, he is embarking on a new challenge – as head chef at historic Lumley Castle.
Along with its highly acclaimed Black Knight Restaurant, Lumley Castle Hotel is one of the region’s leading conference, event and wedding venues.
In his new role, Delaney will be charged with devising and creating new menus, working with hotel’s team of chefs and front of house staff and taking the lead on wide variety of compliance, administrative and culinary duties.
The position is the latest in an impressive roll call of high profile appointments for the Consett-based chef, whose career got off to a flying start in 1988 with a silver medal in the prestigious Salon Culinaire competition.
After a stint at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park Hotel he headed south to venues such as The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, The Hotel Nelson, Norwich and The Heathrow Park Hotel, at West Drayton, before returning to the North East.
More recently, he was responsible for the menus at the Le Petit Chateau wedding venue at Otterburn and was instrumental in the kitchen operations at Durham University.
He joins Lumley Castel Hotel from The Angel Group, Corbridge where he was group executive chef, responsible for catering and menu development across its restaurant and outdoor event catering operations.
“I’ve had the privilege of working at some superb venues here in the North East and further afield,” he said.
“And it’s always been at the back of my mind that I’d like to work at Lumley Castle. It’s just such an iconic venue and there are some magnificent food producers in County Durham so I’m really looking forward to getting started.”
Announcing his appointment, sales manager Lauren Colledge said, “Christopher’s experience and credentials are second to none and we are very much looking forward to welcoming him to Lumley Castle.”
