IT’S the biggest Lancashire invasion since Ribble Valley Inns opened the Nag’s Head at Haughton in deepest Cheshire – and the only parade of stellar guest chefs we can recall cooking at a Chinese restaurant.
But then Yu in Alderley Edge is no ordinary Chinese. That’s why Nigel Haworth (he of RVI and Michelin star holder at Northcote), his exec chef there, Lisa Allen, and Steven Smith, chef/proprietor of multi-award winning The Freemasons at Wiswell, are lined up to collaborate for one night each with host chef Victor Yu for Odyssey of Taste.
The links go back a long way. The original Yu and You restaurant is in Ribble Valley village Copster Green, not far from Northcote and Wiswell. The new Yu has taken it up a level, scooping a clutch of awards and high list placings.
Nigel Haworth (main pic) will launch the Odyssey Tuesday October 4, joining Victor Yu (above) in the kitchen to provide guests with a bespoke menu, created especially for the evening.
Next day, Wednesday 5, it’s the turn of Steven Smith, whose Freemasons at Wiswell has been the Good Food Guide’s No.1 Pub two years in succession. Finally, on Thursday 5, Lisa Allen, a Great British Menu winner in 2010, brings her own passion for local produce and regional cooking to the table.
How it is all going to fuse with Yu’s Chinese roots we can’t imagine. Menus for each night will be emailed directly to guests in the run-up to the event. Worth a punt, though, at £90 a head, tickets on sale now. To book, call 01625 596 922 or book via the website.
Yu, London Rd, Alderley Edge, SK9 7QD. 01625 569922.