Andrew was born in Whitby and grew up close by on his parents’ farm in nearby Sleights. He attended Catering College in Scarborough gaining experience working in France along the way. After working in local hotels and restaurants, he was appointed Head Chef at the Milburn Arms at the tender age of 21.  Aged 25, he took over ownership of The Star Inn at Harome and quickly fashioned this into one of the first ever ‘Gastropubs’ winning awards virtually on a monthly basis for Andrew’s cooking, which has always championed seasonal, local ingredients.

Overnight accommodation was quickly added to the offer to allow customers to saviour their experience of The Star’s hospitality a little longer and Cross House Lodge, The Star’s boutique hotel, quickly became a popular destination for shooting parties visiting for the estates of the area of the North Yorkshire Moors around Helmsley, as well as the perfect foodie wedding venue.

Somewhere along the way, Andrew found the time to write two award-winning cookery books featuring recipes from the restaurant, ‘Black Pudding and Foie Gras’ and ‘Loose Birds and Game, the latter being Andrew’s game cookery bible. A popular performer at local food festivals, Andrew has also made a number of television appearances including the Hairy Bikers and as a competitor on BBC’s Great British Menu in 2011, when he won his regional heat and narrowly missed taking his dessert to the final menu.

More recently, his efforts have been on the expansion of his restaurant interests in the areas outlined above, all very different, but all with Andrew’s instinctive ability to provide the best package of good, old-fashioned hospitality.

RESTAURANTS:

The Star Inn at Harome (Sole Owner since June 1996)

2017 UK Number 1 Gastropub and Michelin-starred Restaurant-with-Rooms is set around a C14th thatched inn in a rural village location with summer al fresco dining, offering a full A la Carte, Tasting Menus with matched drinks packages, ‘Locals Menus’ and also specialist catering for large weddings and groups. Accommodation is available in the Restaurant’s shooting lodge-style boutique hotel, Cross House Lodge, currently offering nine rooms and private dining option in the ‘Wheelhouse’, which is also licensed for civil ceremonies.

The Star Inn The City (Managing Director. Opened October 2013)

‘All Day Dining’ Brasserie-style Restaurant with an unmatched riverside location alongside York’s historic Lendal Bridge. The Restaurant offers seasonal Breakfast, All Day, Market and Afternoon Tea Menus – plus Group Menus for parties of ten and more. A popular celebration destination for family birthdays, anniversaries and graduation dinners and also ideally located for catch-ups with friends and business meetings. On sunny days, tables on the Terrace are the hottest seats in town!

Mr P’s Curious Tavern  (Managing Director. Opened June 2016)

Small Plate-style Restaurant located in an ancient building on Low Petergate in York close to The Shambles, offering quirky food to share mixing influences from around the world with the best in local produce.  A wide range of wines and sherries by the glass are supplemented by a 100-strong Gins List and a good stock of beers and ales. The first floor rooms are perfect for corporate events and private parties.

The Star Inn The Harbour (Managing Director. Opened June 2017)

Set in Andrew’s hometown of Whitby next to the Harbour with views towards the Abbey and St Mary’s Church on East Cliff, Andrews second Brasserie-style Restaurant offers the ‘catch’ of North Sea fish and seafood, along with seasonal game and meat from local producers. Traditional battered fish and chips are on the menu, along with updated Ice Cream Parlour classics, but also dishes influenced by Andrew’s Harome restaurant.