Accolades:
The Forge Restaurant:
- 5-star restaurant with rooms with the AA
- Retained 3 Rosettes with the AA
- Green Michelin Star - 2024
- Michelin Young Chef of the Year 2024 – Jake Jones
The Coach House Restaurant:
- 5-star restaurant with rooms with the AA
- 5 gold stars for service with the AA
- Breakfast award with the AA
- Two Rosettes with the AA
- Michelin Plate
Career highlights: Being awarded the Michelin Green Star at Forge in 2024.
When did your career start in hotels and was it always a goal of yours?
My family bought Middleton Lodge in 1980. We lived in the Main House, and my Mum, Prue Allison used to host afternoon tea on weekends throughout the summer, and I used to help her. It was popular; one of the local newspapers at the time ran a story with the headline that it was the best tea shop north of the Ritz. It’s my first memory of creating experiences that guests would enjoy.
When I took over Middleton Lodge from my father, the estate needed restoring. Estates need to be viable, and good hospitality needs to deliver experiences that are distinctive. My goal was to bring the estate back to life in a sustainable way with the very best experiences for guests, celebrating the history of the estate and maintaining the character, using traditional methods with a modern stance.
What do you enjoy most about your industry?
The people. In January, it will be the 20-year anniversary of Middleton Lodge, and it’s the people who make the journey so enjoyable. From the outset, I wanted to create a supportive framework for our employees that developed their skill set and allowed them to progress, while still being a fun and enjoyable place to work. There are so many characters that create our community, and I am proud of the team that we have today. Some of our team have been here for nearly fifteen years; retaining staff is very important, and ensuring that they are aware of the vision. The team and I have always recruited based on personality and positivity.
I also love seeing our guests enjoy the estate and seeing customers return with their families. They become friends of the estate, and it’s really rewarding to watch people make memories here.
Biggest achievement to date?
It would have to be the Green Michelin Star that was awarded to Forge in February 2024. The estate is 200 acres; it’s my responsibility to conserve this for future generations to enjoy. I’ve made it my mission to restore the estate in the most sustainable way, across all avenues. The Green Star means so much as it highlights the effort that has gone into each restoration and the research that has gone into our ‘estate-to-plate’ ethos, where we grow as much produce on the estate as possible for our kitchens so our guests can enjoy fresh, delicious food that is from the estate. Where that’s not possible, we work with local suppliers. It’s a huge achievement.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start working in a hotel?
I would say to travel and work overseas as much as possible when you are at the start of your career. You’re able to gain lots of different experience across all areas of hospitality whilst being able to visit new countries and meet lots of people along the way, building knowledge and a network.
View this post on Instagram
Where’s your favourite place to stay in the UK?
There are so many brilliant places to stay across the UK. When I have time off, I like to take my children sailing around the coast of Scotland. We do a lot of fishing, and this summer I have been teaching them how to kayak and paddleboard.
What’s something you pride yourself on at Middleton Lodge Estate?
That all of our guests are made to feel at home; we have a genuine, down-to-earth Yorkshire atmosphere, and this is authentic to the estate and something I am particularly proud of.
Who’s your biggest influence?
My Mum; she has such a positive approach to life, which she has instilled in all of us. She has always worked so hard and taught my siblings and I to believe in ourselves. She is a big part of the estate and is most certainly a favourite with everyone who works here; without knowing it, she has managed to create a family feel amongst the team.
What can we expect to see from Middleton Lodge Estate in the future?
We’re currently working on some new and exciting plans for the future, which the team and I are looking forward to sharing in the near future.
