New chef at The Wild Swan in Minskip, near Boroughbridge

Matt Turton, one of Yorkshire’s most talented chefs, has joined the historic 18th century Wild Swan inn at Minskip, near Boroughbridge.

Matt, who worked with Gordon Ramsay when he opened his Heddon Street restaurant in Soho, has vowed to take the award-winning Wild Swan to the next level.

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Alex Bond and Stephen Lennox, who bought the Wild Swan in 2021, have heralded Matt's arrival as the start of an exciting new era for the popular inn, which won the Small Leisure, Retail and Hospitality Business category in the Harrogate Advertiser Excellence in Business Awards this summer.

Some of the food on offer at the Wild Swan (Image: Supplied)

Alex said: “Matt’s appointment is crucially important for the future of the Wild Swan. He has a superb reputation in Harrogate and the surrounding area and we are in no doubt that he will take the Wild Swan to a completely new level in terms of the quality and the presentation of our food. I have followed Matt’s progress and have been a fan of his for some time.”

After working with Gordon Ramsay, Matt returned to his native Yorkshire and enjoyed successful stints at the Fat Badger, the Yorkshire Hotel and as head chef opening and building the reputation of Jesper’s Wine Bar and Kitchen in Harrogate, as well as working on the set of ITV’s popular soap Emmerdale.

Matt said he been made to feel very much at home by the Wild Swan and the Minskip community.

“I have had such a wonderful welcome from the village. I am determined to give Minskip and the surrounding district, an inn to be proud of. I have completely revamped the menu and am determined to create enjoyable and imaginative food at competitive prices. I haven’t been here long, but the reaction so far has been brilliant.

“I am incredibly single-minded and cooking is my life. I am passionate about my food and nothing gives me greater pleasure than seeing a restaurant full of appreciative customers enjoying what I have cooked. Good food is more than just a meal, it’s an experience that you remember.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me. Alex and Stephen have done a brilliant job of positioning the Wild Swan as an award-winning destination pub and restaurant for food-lovers across Yorkshire and I jumped at the chance of joining them.

“They are great to work with, giving me a blank canvas. Thanks to them, the Wild Swan is now at the heart of the Minskip community, loved and treasured by villagers. This is a wonderful platform for me to build on.”

Some of Matt's food (Image: Supplied)

Matt will lead a talented team in the Wild Swan kitchen, including long-serving Sous Chef, Frazer Ross.

Matt’s new menu includes: Pork Hash Brown, Mushroom Cigar, Chorizo Scotch Egg, Duck Breast, Pan Seared Cod, Indian Style Cauliflower Burger and classics such as Fish and Chips and Steak and Ale Pie.