Chef patron Ivor Jones of Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia is one of 21 world class chefs – with twenty-seven Michelin stars between them — to be invited to cook at Northcote Obsession 25 in England’s Ribble Valley. The prestigious and internationally recognised gourmet festival takes place over seventeen nights in January and February. Jones will take over the kitchen at Northcote, the luxury Lancashire hotel and Michelin star restaurant, on Friday, 7 February.
This is the 25th anniversary of the festival, which is known unofficially as the Glastonbury of gastronomy. Obsession launched in 2001 at Northcote as a celebration of great food, wine and a meeting of friends, old and new, a concept that was unique for the UK. Its offering and legacy have evolved over the years, and since 2022, has been under the leadership of Northcote executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who continues to put together collections of innovative chefs and diverse ranges of cuisine.
Jones is in extraordinary company, with chefs in attendance from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, France and Singapore. The festival, which sells out as soon as the chefs are announced hosts some of the biggest culinary names, which this year includes Alain Roux of The Waterside Inn in Bray (3 stars) who will cook at the Grand Finale, Hélène Darroze and Marco Zampese of Hélène Darroze at The Connaught in London (3 star), Ed Wilson of Brawn in London, Yannick Alléno of Pavyllon in London (1 star) and Alléno Paris (3 star), amongst others.
“When Lisa asked me to be a part of this event, I fell off my chair,” said Jones. “I’ve watched many of these incredible chefs from afar my whole life and never thought I’d ever cook at an event that includes them. I am so grateful for this opportunity as well as really excited to get tucked into some of the incredible UK produce. I’m also really looking forward to the camaraderie: it’s an exciting social gathering for the industry.”
Jones will be cooking a menu with many of his favourite dishes from Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia.
Opened in 2016, Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia is co-owned by international chef and restaurateur Liam Tomlin and Ivor Jones. The restaurant – located at Beau Constantia Wine Estate – forms part of the Chefs Warehouse group – a collection of independently owned restaurants located in extraordinary settings. For more information visit: www.chefswarehouse.co.za