It is in his native Lancashire that Nigel Haworth has prospered over the last few decades, displaying an instinctive understanding of his region and a cultivated awareness for diners’ needs. Haworth’s most famous dish - a Lonk lamb
Lancashire hotpot, perhaps sums up his cooking; local, rustic, and laced with nostalgia.
Nigel Haworth trained at Rossendale Catering College just a few miles from his current Ribble Valley base. From there, he set off on a culinary journey which would take in restaurants in Gleneagles, London (at The Ritz, no less) and Switzerland, before returning to Britain to take a lecturer role at the same college at which he had studied.
In 1984, he was offered the position of Head Chef at Northcote, an attractive old building with undeniable potential situated close to Blackburn. Ten years on and Nigel was celebrating an Egon Ronay Chef of the Year Award, one year later a Michelin star followed - which has been retained ever since.
In recent years, Nigel Haworth has appeared regularly on television shows such as Saturday Kitchen and Market Kitchen, also making a winning appearance on
Great British Menu in 2009. Nigel Haworth also co-owns a catering company, Northcote Offsite, who supply local clients (such as his beloved Blackburn Rovers) with immaculate dishes.
Nigel Haworthacted as a mentor to the chefs of the North East region on
Great British Menu 2012.