Northcote’s Obsession launched in 2001 as a celebration of great food and wine and has since become an annual pilgrimage for the region’s gastronomes. It attracts some top names in the culinary world as leading chefs take over the kitchen pass from executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen to offer special one-off menus for dinner service over seventeen nights.
Last year’s festival was a record-breaking success and Northcote Obsession was the recipient of the ‘Outstanding Contribution Award’ at the most recent AA Hospitality Awards. Known as one of the most prestigious and internationally recognised gourmet festivals in Europe, Obsession will take place at Northcote in the Ribble Valley, from 20th January to 5th February 2023.
Twenty world class chefs with 16 Michelin stars between them will make the trip to luxury hotel and Michelin star restaurant located in the Lancashire’s Ribble Valley, surrounded by miles of unspoiled and glorious countryside. Taking place over 17 nights, the festival will see upcoming ‘ones to watch’ chefs, as well as some of the world’s most established chefs from across the UK. Chefs from some of France and Portugal’s most esteemed restaurants will also be heading over cook their unique Obsession menus for those quick enough to get their hands on the hottest tickets in town.
Here’s the full 2023 line-up
- Friday 20th January: Lisa Goodwin Allen, Northcote, Ribble Valley (1 star) & Niall Keating, Luna Barlaston
- Saturday 21st January: Ricardo Costa, The Yeatman Gastronomic Restuarant, Portugal (2 stars)
- Sunday 22nd January: Alex Dilling, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, London
- Monday 23rd January: Nathan Davies, SY23, Aberystwyth, Wales (1 star)
- Tuesday 24th January: Chetan Sharma, Bibi, London
- Wednesday 25th January: Brad Carter, Carters of Mosley, Birmingham (1 star)
- Thursday 26th January: Tommy Banks, The Black Swan, Oldstead, York (1 star)
- Friday 27th January: Anna Haugh, Myrtle, London & Sally Abe, The Pem, London
- Saturday 28th January: Tom Sellars, Restaurant Story, London (2 stars)
- Sunday 29th January: Santiago Lastra, Kol, London (1 star)
- Monday 30th January: Rafael Cagelli, Da Terra, London (2 stars)
- Tuesday 31st January: Luke French, JÖRO, Sheffield
- Wednesday 1st February: Loic Villemin, Toya Restaurant, France (1 star)
- Thursday 2nd February: John Williams & Spencer Metzger, The Ritz, London (1 star)
- Friday 3rd February: Alex Nietosvuori, Hjem, Hexham (1 star)
- Saturday 4th February: Mark Donald, The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, Scotland (1 star)
The grand finale
- Sunday 5thFebruary, featuring:
- Lisa Goodwin Allen, Northcote, Ribble Valley (1 star)
- Monica Galetti, Mere, London
- Nieves Barragan Mohacho, Sabor, London (1 star)
Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef at Northcote said; “Well what can I say? The vibe, teamwork and overall energy from everyone involved last year was outstanding. It was a real celebration, especially coming straight off the back of a really tough time for the hospitality industry.
“The line-up of chefs for 2023 is really exciting, the style of cooking they are bringing to Obsession is diverse, progressive and highly technical. We’ve got some great emerging and well talked about chefs like Luke French and Chetan Sharma joining us, and household names like John Williams from The Ritz and Tom Sellers from Restaurant Story. I’m really looking forward to be opening, as well as wrapping up the festival too. Guests will be delighted to see the return of the three non blondes on the final night too!”
Luke French, chef and co-owner of Jöro in Sheffield added; “I’m absolutely buzzing to be invited to cook at Northcote Obsession23. It’s an event every year I’ve always been in awe of and I never thought I’d be cooking at it. The talent of the chefs that go through the kitchens during the event is unbelievable. I’m gassed to be cooking alongside a line-up of absolute legends in our industry and showcase what we do at JÖRO.”
Brad Carter, chef/proprietor of the Michelin starred Carters of Moseley, who is also behind One Star Döner at Manchester’s Escape to Freight Island, commented: “Obsession is an event I have always admired from afar and hoped to cook one day, when Lisa asked me to take part I was buzzing to be a part of the line up at the legendary Northcote. I’m hoping to bring a bit of Brum magic to Lancashire! I will be cooking some Carters of Moseley signature serves and focusing on my ethos of using products that only come from the UK, Scotland or Ireland, showing the world class ingredients we have on our island.”
Guests can also enjoy a Louis Roederer Collection 242 Champagne reception and have the option of adding a matching wine flight to dinner. Northcote recently retained its Spectator Two Glass Wine Award for its absolute commitment to wine, and breadth of the cellar across multiple winegrowing regions including Burgundy, Spain and Portugal. Managing director Craig Bancroft and his team meticulously choose wines to pair with the unique flavours and ingredients of each course each night, to really elevate the dining experience.
The hotel’s atmospheric bar will see specially created Obsession cocktails inspired by each chefs’ menus and Obsession23 will see the launch of their own newly curated Obsession Gin.
The official charity for Obsession23 is Hospitality Action and to date, Obsession has raised almost half a million pounds for the charity.
Tables will be available for Obsession23 from 10th November, and are priced at £185 per person, including a Louis Roederer Champagne and canapé reception, five course menu, coffee and petit fours. A specially paired wine flight can be added, starting from around £65 per person. VIP hospitality packages are available to book for six or more people in the Louis Roederer Room or at the Chef’s Table, from £2,475 + VAT.
This renowned country house hotel has 26 imaginative and inspired rooms, all individual in character. At Northcote you have a choice between the Manor House rooms and Garden Lodge rooms. The Garden Lodge is situated within the Northcote gardens, just across from the Manor House, with eight rooms including a master suite.
For more information visit Northcote Obsession
