THE chef who helped steer L'Enclume to double Michelin starred glory has confirmed he will open for business in Ormskirk this autumn.
The project, in the Grade II listed Moor Hall, in Aughton, is a partnership between Mark Birchall and his multi millionare friends Andy and Tracey Bell.
The magnificent main building, with its Tudor origins, was acquired in 2015 and is undergoing a major renovation anfd will feature a restaurant with seven rooms.
There are bigger culinary ambitions afoot and next year large former barn will be restored into a second, less formal dining space that will also feature a small dairy, charcuterie and curing room and a meat ageing room.
READ: REVEALED: L'Enclume head chef to open in Aughton
Previously executive chef and right-hand man of Simon Rogan at the award winning L’Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria, Birchall's menus will showcase his own style of modern British cuisine, using produce grown on site, and reflecting the broad culinary experience he has garnered over the last 15 years.
Born in Chorley, Lancashire, Birchall began his career working at The Walnut Tree in Abergavenny, Wales, with Franco Taruschio, and at Northcote Manor with Nigel Haworth. He then worked at L’Enclume (2006-15), during which time he won the Roux Scholarship in 2011, which enabled him to spend time at Michelin three-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Spain.
Up in Aughton, interior designer Martin Nealon has been given the job of retaining the traditional aesthetics of the 16th century Jacobean manor while introducing many new, more contemporary features.
On the ground floor, there will be two reception rooms, a bar and a lounge, all with wood-paneled walls, carved fireplaces, hammered steel surrounds, fossil slab tables, and saddle leather sofas.
The reception area has original Jacobean carved wall paneling, oak beams, and a huge carved fireplace that will be lit by rows of handmade crystal-cut lanterns. In contrast, the 50-seat restaurant will be more modern, with porcelain floors, and surrounding glass walls giving panoramic views of the property, with adjacent cheese and wine rooms.
The intention is for Moor Hall to provide "an idyllic rural destination" for guests from throughout the northwest (just 25 minutes from Liverpool, and 45 minutes from Manchester, London and internationally.
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