Renowned chef and forager to work his magic at Warrington gastropub

South African chef Ernst van Zyl will be offering his own fine dining experience at a Warrington gastro pub from next month.

The chef, previously known for his work at the Lord Clyde in Kerridge, Macclesfield, and the Hanging Gate Inn in Cheshire, is taking over the kitchen of the Glazebury, near Warrington, from February 2.

He said the 60-cover restaurant is the ideal location for his love of foraging and fine dining. He will also provide a casual bar-food operation.

While he looks after business in the kitchen, his partner, Liz Kellett, will run the front of house operation.

He revealed: “We were approached by the three owners, and the five of us just hit it off instantly.

“They’ve invested hugely in the pub already and have some very exciting plans for the near future.

“It’s got a stunning garden space for growing our own produce to use in the kitchen; it’s got five bedrooms we’re planning on doing up over next few months, and the property has huge potential to expand and grow in the future for more covers.”

Ernst van Zyl

Plans include an “exciting seasonal changing bar menu with sandwiches, salads, starters, mains and desserts”, while diners can look forward to an “ever-evolving à la carte fine-dining menu and a six-course tasting menu” which will be “deeply rooted in each season’s amazing produce offerings along with some of the UK’s best ingredients on offer, and of course dishes influenced by my love for foraging.”

The fine-dining element of the Glazebury is expected to run from March, with a launch date to be confirmed.