I was very blessed to receive an invite to Northcote Manor on the first evening of their annual Obsession event for 2017.  This year Obsession17 would run for 17 consecutive nights and host menus from top chefs throughout the World. The Chefs all cook for one night each and create a menu of their desire , anything that they want to cook for the guests. Normally the whole event sells out within days so there`s always a rush to grab the most popular chefs each year. The Chef who would kick it all off for Obsession 2017  was Michael Wignall who is currently heading up the brigade at 2 Michelin starred Gidleigh park in Devon.

The main man at Northcote is pretty well known to most of us , Nigel Haworth a great cook with a big personality. Nigels sidekick  Lisa Allen is also well known for her winning menus on the BBC`s Great British Menu programme. During Obsession the kitchen gets really crowded and everyone gets stuck into the cooking and plating up in the kitchen. Our evening went like a dream , flowing perfectly from beginning to end. Fortunately I was sat with a glass of wine in my hand watching the madness backstage on the TV screens throughout the restaurant. Here`s Chef Michael Wignalls chosen menu for the opening up of Obsession17.

UMAMI – Pipers Farm Chicken cooked in master stock, Garlic Panna cotta, frozen Lovage, Chicken skin crackers

EEL – Torched Eel, Rillette & Consomme, Granny Smith Apple, aerated White Chocolate, Oscietra Caviar

ROE DEER – Roe Deer Tartare, Winter Truffle, lightly smoked Ricotta, Nasturtium, confit Yolk

TROUT AND OCTOPUS – Coffee cured sea Trout, Beetroot, braised Octopus with Miso glaze, roast Squid & Chicken juices

DUCK – Duck, Pumpkin, Cherry Granola, Blue Cheese, Sweetbread, Hen of the woods

“RHUBARB & CUSTARD”

HAZELNUT – Praline Parfait, Caramel, bitter Chocolate, frozen Yoghurt.

Northcote`s signature Eccles Cakes and a few sweet treats – It was now midnight , the two Italian chefs (from the 2 star Gennaro Esposito team) on my table had an early morning start. They had to begin prepping food for their evening slot and so disappeared off to bed. Kaye, our Northcote PR lady was off mingling with guests. My other 3 table companions were stuffed and could barely face any more food. Hmmmmnnnnn….I really can`t bear to see food being thrown away…..and so off to the starters blocks and the rest is history.

As far as the full English goes then this one really is hard to better. A plate full of high quality Northern produce,  an absolutely cracking breakfast.