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Tag Archive: wedding events team

Kitchen dream team reunites at Ellingham Hall

David Munro

For the past 23 years, David Munro has been creating amazing dishes in many famous restaurants across Northumberland.

Over that time, David has honed his skills using local, seasonal produce to deliver delicious dishes.

It’s why we’re delighted to welcome David to Ellingham Hall as our new Head Chef. And in doing so, we’re also reuniting David with his very first boss, our Executive Head Chef, John Blackmore, creating a dream team in our kitchen.

David started working with John at the Tankerville Arms in Eglingham when John was Chef Patron there. David remembers, “I trained with John for seven years at the Tankerville from the age of 13 right until I was 20 years old.

“I was an apprentice and was on a modern apprenticeship course with Northumberland College and spent the rest of my time working with John in the kitchens. He gave me my opportunity to get into this industry.”

David says the way he now works is thanks to what he learned from John, so working together again feels natural.

Dream team

“It’s lovely to be back working with John again,” he explains. “We have the same work ethic because it was instilled in me from him from a young age. We’re very similar in the way we work and the way we drive forward.

“Some people at Ellingham Hall say it’s like the dream team is back together. I suppose it is!”

Over the past 15 years since last working with John, David has forged a career in providing high quality food at restaurants across Northumberland including the Castle Hotel in Bamburgh and the White Swan Inn at Warenford. David has continued to get a deep understanding about the produce on our doorstep during that time.

“I think we are blessed in Northumberland because we have the best produce in the whole country from land to sea. We’ve got amazing seafood as well as some of the best game. The produce we grow is also some of the best in the UK, such as our potatoes.

“Ellingham Hall already provides amazing menus using local produce and we want to do more. Both John and I like to use a modern twist on traditional favourites, so I’m looking forward to driving things forward together.”

Family atmosphere

It is the first time in his career that David has worked at an exclusive wedding venue. So, is he enjoying his time at Ellingham Hall?

“I really love being part of the team,” he says. “It’s amazing how everybody works together in all areas. It’s a proper team attitude. And it really shows because the venue is loved so much by the visitors and guests.

“I’m already feeling at home. I really enjoy going to work every single day, which is a bit of a rare thing in this industry. There’s a family atmosphere and the team spirit makes it such an enjoyable place to work.”

Ellingham appoints Executive Head Chef fit for royalty

Head chef fit for royalty

We’re thrilled to announce, multi award-winning Chef John Blackmore, has joined the Hall as our new Executive Head Chef.

John, who has cooked for the Queen and was responsible for putting Alnwick on culinary map, has been appointed to lead the kitchen team as we head into our busiest season to date!

Even John’s extensive culinary experience, which spans over 40 years, couldn’t have prepared him for his super busy start at Ellingham. We thought we’d treat him to a quick break, a brew and chat to find out how he’s finding his new role.

How’s things been since joining Ellingham?

Busy. Ha! It’s been great, busy, but really great.

Although we weren’t running as many weddings as usual for this time of year, things were just as busy behind the scenes. As well as investing in staff and new equipment, one of my first jobs was to create the new 2022 menus for all our couples. It was important I spoke with the team to get a real understanding of what we currently offered, and how we could really drive standards and give people the best wedding experience possible at the Hall.

Over the last month, the team and I have ran a number of tasting events where we’ve catered for over 70 couples, and I look forward to the Autumn when we will be running more of these experiences. I’ve also been working closely with producers to ensure my kitchen brigade have the highest quality of ingredients available to them – this year, we’re proud to say we’re working with more local suppliers than ever, driving our sustainability focus at the Hall.

Taking you back, how did you start your culinary career?

I started my career back when I was just 18 at college. I was privileged to receive an award at the Savoy London for ‘Outstanding Student of the Year’ twice. Following this I was appointed as an apprentice at the InterContinental Hotel in London’s Park Lane and the chain took me to France, Germany and Switzerland.

Moving back to Northumberland with my wife, I opened my own restaurant in Alnwick and owned The Tankerville Arms in Eglingham, before moving to Newcastle United to head up the kitchen brigade at The Magpie Room. In the role, I helped steer the restaurant to the Good Food Guide; the first Premier League club to reach the achievement. Since then, I have worked in several well-known restaurants and wedding venues locally, including The Cookie Jar in Alnwick.

What has been your proudest moment as a Chef?

I was chosen to cook for the Queen while I was at Newcastle United and that is the highlight of my career. She was in the region in 1997 and had just opened the Siemens factory and was received by Sir John Hall for lunch. She was a really nice person and it was such an honour to be chosen to cook for her.

With the 2022 menus now finalised, what would you say are your favourite dishes?

It’s a tough choice. For starters, I’d say the Cheese Soufflé, followed by the Cajun Fried Seabass. The one thing the team already know about me, is I’m a real sweet tooth. I love my desserts, so that’s the hardest to choice for me. I’d have to say Bakewell Tart, I could eat them all day and night!

What are you most looking forward to at Ellingham?

I’m looking forward to helping Ellingham Hall become bigger and better. I’m also so excited to be working with such a friendly team – there’s a real buzz about Ellingham, from the venue, to the staff and all the couples I’ve interacted with so far. The team here are lovely and it’s great to work with such a professional group of people who really care.

Ellingham welcomes a new General Manager

David Fordham-Scott

This month, we’re pleased to share the appointment of David Fordham-Scott as Ellingham Hall’s new General Manager.

David’s extensive hospitality experience spans over 23 years and it’s his knowledge, ambition, and commitment to the enhancing the customer experience which makes him the perfect fit for Ellingham Hall.

David is no stranger to the venue, as a small boy he often visited his Great Grandmother who lived in the village. David’s family also have strong connections with Ellingham, his uncle attended the Hall when it was formerly a Prep School and it wasn’t until his recent appointment with us that David learned his Nana and Grandad were actually married in the Chapel 62 years ago – talk about a small wedding world!

David explained; “Ellingham Hall is well-known in the industry as an unforgettable two-night wedding experience – a one I’ve always greatly admired. That combined with my family connections, love for the venue and value for customer service, means I’m thrilled to be part of such a dedicated and hard-working team.”

“I have a real passion for delivering first class customer service and providing couples with the most magical day of their lives; It’s so encouraging to know I’m joining a team who share my vision. Having only just started working at the venue this month, I’ve already been made to feel so welcome. It’s been a great few weeks and I already feel like part of the Ellingham Hall family.”

Anthony Hunter, said; “David couldn’t be more suited to working at Ellingham Hall. He prides himself on being customer focused and on delivering an award-winning wedding experience – all the things Team Ellingham continuously strive for.

Anthony had previously held the role of General Manager at the Hall for over 10 years. This month, Anthony has handed over the baton to David as he takes on a directorship role for the company. His new role is to further the growth, development and future direction of the business at Ellingham, alongside beginning work on our second wedding venue, launching in 2021.

David added; “I have known and respected Anthony for a long time and l am looking forward to combining our knowledge and experience to further develop the offering at the Hall, as well as working closely together on a number of upcoming exciting new projects.”

Wendy is named UK Wedding Coordinator of the Year for 2020

UK Wedding Coordinator of the Year

If you’ve ever been up to the Hall, or organised an event with us, we’re pretty certain you’ll be familiar with the name Wendy Sproul. Wendy was our Head of Weddings and Events at the Hall for over four years, until she was recently promoted to Operations Manager and it looks like the good news doesn’t just stop there. Last week Wendy was crowned UK Wedding Coordinator of the year in the LUXlife 2020 Global Wedding Awards – this comes just 18 months after she was named North East Wedding Co-ordinator in the North of England Wedding Awards.

Wendy said, “I am thrilled and honoured, but also moved by being named the UK’s best Wedding Co-ordinator.

“When I got the news I just burst into tears. I really can’t quite believe it. It’s fantastic and such an honour to be part of so many couples’ special wedding celebrations.”

Wendy’s attention to detail, calmness under pressure and ability to lead during her time as Wedding Co-ordinator, were some of the reasons why she was promoted six months ago.

General Manager Anthony Hunter explained: “I am absolutely thrilled that Wendy has been given this award. She deserves it. Everyone in our team looks up to Wendy as she is diligent when it comes to our guests’ requests and unwavering in delivering a fantastic service. It is her commitment to the venue and the hospitality sector which makes her a real asset to the business.

“The team at Ellingham Hall know there’s something truly special about Wendy – and this award proves just how wonderful she is. I am proud and honoured to have Wendy as one of the Ellingham Hall family.”

Ben appointed as Head of Maintenance

Head of Maintenance

We are delighted to announce that we’ve appointed Ben Larson as Head of Maintenance! Ben has been with us for four years and helps look after the grounds and Hall.

Ben was given the promotion from his job as Maintenance Engineer after our previous Head of Maintenance moved to new pastures. We were very pleased when Ben said he would take the step up.

Ben, a local resident his whole life, has had a varied career including working as a ground worker, delivery driver and farmhand before coming to work at Ellingham Hall. Not only does he look after the Hall and grounds but also looks after its sister venue Lemmington Hall too.

We caught up with Ben to find out how he is finding his new role. He said: “I really enjoy working at Ellingham Hall. I love the fact every day is different. At the moment I’m fitting new door locks, but last week I was decorating three bedrooms and fitting new windows.
“It’s a lovely place to work, in fact it’s the best place I’ve worked. I fix most things along with the maintenance team, including plumbing. As well as the fabric of the building, we’re responsible for the security and safety of guests and staff here.”

As an essential part of the team that works behind the scenes, we were delighted when Ben agreed to be promoted. Like the rest of our family, he’s a hard worker and we are thrilled that he enjoys his work.