Masterchef star to make his mark on menus of a major hotel and a village local

Now Tom Rennolds’ cooking will be enjoyed by customers at several venues around the region ranging from one of Yorkshire’s biggest hotels to a newly revamped village pub.

The Yorkshire chef has been made the food consultant for a group which run a luxury hotel on the North Yorkshire coast and are behind plans to create one of the biggest country resorts in the North of England.

The Skelwith Group runs the Raithwaite Estate, near Whitby, and is currently developing the Flaxby Country Resort between York and Harrogate - a £100m scheme expected to be completed next year.

The former plasterer-turned star chef will oversee the food and drinks on offer for customers at these top hotels as well as working as the managing chef for a village pub which the company is also transforming.

The newly named Curious Plum, in Husthwaite, near York is set to open towards the end of this year.

The Curious Plum, which will be on the site of former Orchard Inn, in the village, is to be refurbished and extended to provide eight bedrooms, bar and restaurant areas and unique “outside eating pods” in a new courtyard.

Mr Rennolds, from Silsden, West Yorkshire, said : “It is a unique opportunity to get involved in the different elements of Skelwith.

“I have been very impressed with Raithwaite and am very excited about the Curious Plum project in Husthwaite.

“I think this establishment is somewhere I can put my own mark on and create something unique in Yorkshire.”

Skelwith’s managing director Paul Ellis said: “It is a real coup to bring on board someone of Tom’s calibre.

“He will add a tremendous amount to our new and future interests, which include a lot of hospitality outlets.

He has a great breadth of experience and we are very excited for him to put his stamp on the Curious Plum project.

“We are creating something special here.

“It will complement the fantastic pubs and restaurants we already have in North Yorkshire but will also provide something different and a unique experience.

Husthwaite is a fantastic village and we will keep the pub at the heart of it.”

Yorkshire born Mr Rennolds has been working at the Aspire venue in Leeds as executive chef for the past 15 months.

He first enrolled at catering college and studied professional cookery as a hobby when he was 22 and then went to work at the Michelin starred Boxtree restaurant for several months to gain valuable experience.

Since becoming runner up in the 2012 Master Chef competition, he has worked at several restaurants to hone his skills.

These include the Alan Ducasse restaurant at the Dorchester Hotel, Restaurant Gordon Ramsey and Tom’s Kitchen, as well as working as a private chef across the country.

Building work is now underway on the Flaxby Country Resort between York and Harrogate.

Extensive highways works are taking placing, including a new roundabout on the A59, which is set to finish next month with the hotel completing towards the end of 2015.

The site sits in the middle of the existing 27-hole golf course and will be one of the North of England’s premier hotels and resorts.

The Flaxby Country Resort is expected to include bars, restaurants and a new golf club house set in nearly 300 acres of North Yorskhire countryside. It will also feature a luxury spa and gym, restaurants and bars and boutiques.

Mr Ellis has previously said it will be “one of the premier destinations in the North of England” and will employ more than 300 people.

The Skelwith Group is also behind plans to transform the former Aviva building in York into luxury apartments.