My Yorkshire: Daniel Gill, Dine

Daniel Gill, managing director of Dine, an award winning company providing event planning, catering and venue management to clients and partner venues around the region.

Where do you live/where are you from?

I live and work in Leeds – a wonderful city with all the benefits of city life but very convenient for getting out into the countryside. My parents ran the first Michelin-starred restaurant in Leeds – Pool Court – and as such hospitality is in my DNA. After training with Leith’s in London, I moved back to Leeds to set up Dine in 1998. The Mansion in Leeds’ Roundhay Park is our flagship venue and I’m fortunate enough to call it my office too.

What is your favourite place to visit in Yorkshire and why?

My wife Helen and I love to cycle and walk with our two children. Bolton Abbey is a great favourite of ours with some fantastic views, wide open spaces and fascinating history. That said, my bike ride to work each morning through Roundhay Park is pretty special.

What is still on your “to do” list in the region?

I would love to hold a showcase event in one of Yorkshire’s spectacular Landmarks – say dinner on Aysgarth Falls or at Brimham Rocks. It would be a fantastic way to showcase a cross-section of the region’s talent; Performances by Opera North & Northern Ballet, cutting edge projection, sound & lighting and the best produce, service and Event Management all held somewhere which would provide a really memorable backdrop. If anyone fancies partnering to make this happen, give me a call…

What is the most memorable meal you’ve ever had in Yorkshire?

My parent’s friendships with the likes of Marco Pierre-White and Raymond Blanc meant that I was immersed in the world of hospitality from an early age and holidays were often to far flung vineyards or eateries. Closer to home I always enjoyed the fantastic Cork’s Bistro in Otley and Brasserie 44 in Leeds. As you’d expect, we also enjoy cooking at home as a family. Just recently we used a molecular gastronomy kit to create apple flavoured foam and blackberry jellies, which was great fun!

What is your most Yorkshire trait?

I guess I have two. I always look for value for money for ourselves as a business and for our customers – by which I don’t mean necessarily the cheapest deal but the most cost effective – and I do believe in straight talking.

Favourite piece of trivia about the region.

Yorkshire now boasts the largest number of Michelin starred restaurants outside of London. Here in Yorkshire we have some of the best food and drink in the world and passionate local producers to match. Visitors will always be sure of a tasty Yorkshire experience.

What is your favourite cultural icon to come out of Yorkshire?

I think the fact that Yorkshire has developed such a strong reputation for the performing arts is something to be very proud of.

What has been your worst experience, or what is the worst thing about Yorkshire?

Being on the M62 – can we please stop talking about HS2 and spend the money on East – West links?

What is one thing you’d steal from Lancashire (or other UK regions) if you could?

I think I would have the climate from the Channel Islands and Simon Rogan’s cooking from Lancashire, but other than that I reckon we pretty much have it all here!

What is the most overrated thing about Yorkshire?

It would be great if we could stop the vague wittering about a Northern Powerhouse, define what this phrase actually means for the people of the region and then set an agenda to achieve some practical outcomes.