'I run a Michelin-starred restaurant in Yorkshire - here's some of my favourite places to eat'
Adam Degg is head chef and host of Harrogate’s new Michelin-starred restaurant FIFTY TWO at Rudding Park. He lives in York with his wife Emily, their son Jacob, and their sausage dog, Ted.
What’s your first Yorkshire memory?
When I was 16/17 I worked at a hotel in Birmingham; I remember a chef telling me he used bottled Yorkshire air to make the Yorkshire puddings rise higher; I believed him for the rest of the day. My first visit to Yorkshire was to watch the Rugby 7s in Pocklington.
What’s your favourite part of the county – and why? I love the coast; I proposed to my wife Emily at Cayton Bay and my days off are regularly spent with Emily, our son Jacob and our sausage dog, Ted at Sandsend or Robin Hood's Bay.
What’s your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire? I'd head into York with my family; first stop Heppni Bakeri for a flat white and a pastry; they’re genuinely up there as some of the best I've ever had anywhere in the world.
After a boat trip (Jacob’s favourite) or handbag shopping (Emily's) we'd head to Cresci to share a pizza and then over to Florian Poirot's Macaron shop (salted butter caramel is my fave) for something sweet.
We can’t usually make a trip into York without visiting the train museum; it’s a fantastic way to entertain our little man. Then we’d pick up a takeaway from Paddy Fields in Haxby to enjoy at home. (I know, that’s a lot of food).
Do you have a favourite walk – or view? The waterfall walk around Goathland is a great way to burn off some calories after lunch at Homestead - or the Stickman trail at Dalby Forest was a fun one with Jacob.
Which Yorkshire sportsperson, past or present, would you like to take for lunch? Chris Kamara MBE – he’s such a big character and someone I’ve always admired; I’d take him to Fish Cottage in Sandsend.
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner? Sean Bean – What a legend, he’s had such a successful career I bet he’d have some great stories to tell. I’ve been wanting to visit Forge at Middleton Lodge for ages so I’d take him there.
If you had to name your Yorkshire ‘hidden gem’, what would it be? Malton, there’s so much to see there now as a ‘foodie’ – from amazing freshly roasted coffee at Roost, to the ice cream at Groovy Moo; we always pick up a pie from ‘Food to Remember’.
If you could choose something in Yorkshire to own for a day, what would it be? Rudding Park. I’d have the run of the place with my family and a few friends. I’d make my sous chef ‘Other Adam’ be our personal chef for the day and we’d make the most of the sprawling grounds – breakfast and a longest drive competition at the driving range.
We’d have a bbq lunch in the kitchen garden, followed by a few hours relaxing in the Roof Top Spa.
Dinner can be a large banquet in the Radcliffe room of Rudding House followed by a big party until the early hours. Jacob and the kids can have popcorn and watch movies in the cinema and there’s plenty of rooms for everyone to stay over.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity? A sense of pride and resilience, without any arrogance. I find the people of Yorkshire straight talking but friendly. I think the landscape really shapes Yorkshire’s identity. Do you follow sport in the county, and if so, what? We live in York now, so I’ve been following York Knights quite closely, it’s great to see them in the Super League now after years of steady progress, a massive moment for the city. The atmosphere at the LNER is brilliant and always lively.
Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub? My favourite restaurant is Pignut and the Hare, Tom and Laurissa have created a beautiful place; it’s intimate in the best way, seasonal and completely ingredient led without any over complication.
Just thoughtful, intelligent cooking built around what’s growing, grazing or foraged locally. Definitely one of my picks for a Michelin star in the future.
Favourite pub is the Abbey Inn opposite the ruins of Byland Abbey; it’s a proper pub but elevated; the food is on another level and with Tommy Banks and his team, you just know it’s always going to be amazing.
Do you have a favourite food shop? Haxby Bakehouse is one of my favourites, we visit regularly. The sourdough is exceptional but the coffee, and deli selection is always great. It’s a must visit for the cheeses and pork pies alone.
How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you’ve known it? It’s grown in confidence, especially in food. There’s now 10 Michelin stars in Yorkshire and I’m so honoured to hold one of those at FIFTY TWO.
Chefs and producers are proud to put ‘Yorkshire’ front and centre, there’s a real appreciation for local farming, for seasonality and for craft.
Places like York and Leeds feel more outwardly looking now, culturally and gastronomically, but they’ve managed to keep their identity.
From a chefs’ perspective, the quality of produce and the network of growers and artisans across the county has never been stronger. That’s a huge positive.
Who is the Yorkshire person that you most admire? Andrew Pern – what he’s done with the Star Inn at Harome is incredible; championing local produce long before it was fashionable and proving that you can create exceptional food in a rural Yorkshire village without losing any authenticity.
Has Yorkshire influenced your work? Absolutely, the humour, the people, the landscape and most importantly at FIFTY TWO; the produce massively influences what we do day in, day out. We’ve got the best ingredients in the world here.
Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/performer. Wuthering heights by Emily Bronte: even more popular now due to the recent cinematic release; it captures the wilderness of the moors perfectly.
If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, where should it be? Whitby; sea, the abbey, fish and chips, Gothic history, it’s got it all – or come to Harrogate so you can visit us.