Chef Ryan Blackburn really impressed me on the last series of Professional Masterchef and as soon as I got the opportunity i had to go and see what his Ambleside kitchen was turning out. I found Ryans food to be creative , accurately cooked and I really did enjoy it. Why have I taken so long to eat there ? Beggars belief.

Ryans cooking earned him a `Cumbrian Chef of the year` award when he was cooking at the Cottage in the Wood in Keswick . He opened the Old Stamp house a short time later and he`s been gaining strength and confidence with his cuisine ever since. I`ve now sampled both an Autumn and a Winter menu at the Old Stamp house and  I now anticipate an even more exciting visit when the Summer menu begins.

Here`s the Autumn  menu which actually changed a couple of weeks later. I booked straight in and returned for a Winter menu….. another fabulous meal –   Here`s both the Tasting menus below.

Tasting Menus – £65Herdwick Lamb Broth served by Chef Ryan upon our arrival.

Appetisers

Black Pudding bonbons

Potted Shrimps , Cauliflower , Curry and Mead sauce.

Ravenglass Crab , Buttermilk infused with Elderflower Vinegar , Cucumber and Dill.

West Coast Scallop , Pumpkin , Braised Squid , Squid sauce.

Loin of Cod , Brussels Sprouts , Kale , Broccoli , Roasted Chicken sauce.

Loin of Wild Red Deer , Smoked Celeriac puree , Truffle , sauce Forrestier. This one dish made our visit worthwhile , absolutely stunning and best main course of the year.

Cumbrian Gingerbread Souffle , Rhubarb , Yoghurt.

Chocolate and old school Stout cake , Pear Sorbet , Coffee , Malted Barley Anglaise.

Coffee and treats.

2nd Menu – Appetisers.

Old Stamp house Bread.

Chalk stream Trout , Cucumber , Apple , Buttermilk , Elderflower Vinegar and Dill.

Cartmel valley Pheasant Tortellini , Parsnip , Kale and Truffle.

Hand dived Scallop , Celeriac and Trotter Ragout , Pickled Walnut.

Roasted Halibut , Charred Cauliflower , Paysanne of Leeks and Brown Shrimp , spiced Mead Veloute.

Salt aged Goosnargh Duck , Beetroot , Salsify , Confit leg and Lentil Stew , Black pudding sauce.

Yew Tree farm Herdwick Hogget , Artichokes , Wood Blewits , Confit of Pink Fir , Mint and Anchovy emulsion.

Yorkshire Rhubarb , Baked Meadowsweet Custard , Ginger Beer.

Amaretto Parfait , White Chocolate and Chicory root Ganache , poached Pear