2023 All Wrapped Up
We are wishing all our Northcote family, friends, partners and guests a very Merry Christmas!
We’re finishing 2023 in a celebratory fashion after Craig Bancroft marked 40 years at Northcote just a couple of weeks ago. Craig began his illustrious journey in 1983 and now, as the Managing Director, he has passionately moulded Northcote into the esteemed establishment it is today.
Other notable achievements this year saw Northcote retain our Michelin Star, first earned in 1996, as well as 4 AA Rosettes status with the AA. Our restaurant, led by Executive Chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, was featured in La Liste’s Top 1000 Restaurants in the World List and Lisa herself was named Chef of the Year in the Food & Travel Reader Awards towards the end of the year. Our kitchen welcomed an exciting collaboration this year between Northcote and Warburtons, whom we had the joy of working closely with to create Lisa’s Warburton Toastie. Finally, for our kitchen, Northcote’s incredible Cookery School was awarded an ICSA Accreditation, which reinforces our commitment to offering the highest standard of culinary education.
Our wine list has been curated over many years and it is a vital part of Northcote’s dining experience. We’re immensely proud of it and it has been a labour of love to create a list which has been accredited awards this year, such as the AA Notable Wine List Award, a Wine Spectator Two Glass Award, a Star Wine List White Star Award and a World of Fine Wine World’s Best Wine List Award. Not forgetting our Head Sommelier Magdalena, who was named in the Top 5 Young Sommeliers, and listed in the Top 100 UK Sommeliers in 2023.
Northcote wouldn’t be what it is without the diligent, caring team who work here. We think that the whole team deserves an award for what they do behind the scenes each day, but these members of staff have been recognised by some remarkable awarding bodies. Mia Learoyd, our Head Waitress, came runner-up as the National Young Waiter this year. Our General Manager, Jordan Hughes was a Highly Commended Finalist in the GM of The Future by Master Innholders and our Bar Manager Georgi Petrov was shortlisted as a finalist for the Best Venue Manager Awards in the 2024 Bar Magazine Awards.
A special mention to two of our younger members of staff who rose to glory this year! Sam Dixon won the Young National Chef of the Year Award from the Craft Guild of Chefs with his showstopper menu. Sam began his time at Northcote as an apprentice and it has been a joy to watch him grow and progress over this time.
We also have Niamh Preedy, our Head Cocktail Bartender, who recently became England’s First Young Mixologist Winner. Niamh created the Candy Floss cocktail for the Young Chef Young Waiter Competition, which won her the title. Niamh then travelled to Monaco in November to represent Team England at the world finals.
And finally, our most notable event of the year Obsession23 seems like a lifetime ago. It’s a good thing we get to do it all over again in January 2024! We’re going into 2024 by welcoming 18 chefs over 17 nights for one incredible culinary experience.
We hope to see you all in the new year, and may 2024 be as successful and magical as 2023 has been.