New team as restaurant tastes success

An acclaimed bistro in Stokesley has appointed a new kitchen management team following recent growth.

Howards has continued to grow in popularity since Graham Howard and his family took over the business in 2008 and has notched up several accolades. Recently it was included in the Harden’s UK Restaurant Survey, one of the UK’s most influential food guides, for the fourth consecutive year.

To allow the bistro to build on its success, a new kitchen team made up of familiar faces has been appointed by managers.

Former head chef, Michael Chase, remains part of the creative team at Howards but is developing his professional skills by studying for further qualifications at Teesside University. As a result, Andrew Russell and Owen Brosan have taken over the full-time running of the kitchen.

Both chefs have been with Howards for around two years and gained a range of qualifications. Owen, from Great Ayton, and Middlesbrough man Andrew will work closely with Michael Chase on developing menus and new dishes.

In addition, Edwina Banks becomes commis chef at Howards having achieved her NVQ Level 3 in professional cookery. She has worked with the business for almost a year.

Graham Howard said: “The team we have in place has a great variety of skills and experience which will allow us to offer customers our old favourites as well as some exciting new ideas. After all, we have to keep the business fresh.

“All of the staff have been with us for a number of years and I didn’t want to lose any of them so we have restructured the team to allow them to continue with their studies – something I am very keen to encourage.”

Family-run Howard’s prides itself on working with local suppliers and employing local people. All of the company’s 15 staff live within a ten-mile radius of Stokesley.