A Lake District chef will be on the small screen this week in Tom Kerridge’s new series on BBC Two.
Ryan Blackburn, who runs The Old Stamp House and Kysty in Ambleside, is featured in the first episode of The Hidden World of Hospitality, due to be screened on Thursday at 8pm.
Tom looks to uncover the secrets of Ryan’s success, and learn how he has survived and thrived despite the turbulence that has hit the hospitality sector in recent years.
Ryan, who has held a Michelin star since 2019, offers a tasting menu celebrating the very best of Cumbrian produce, but praise and accolades are a mixed blessing for him.
Tom offers Ryan advice, borne out of his own past experiences of letting the pressure of being a celebrated chef in high-end kitchens affect his health.
With the Michelin awards fast approaching, Ryan and Tom are both tirelessly developing new dishes for their respective menus, their dishes need to meet the high expectations of guests and the Michelin inspectors, but Tom and Ryan will have to convince themselves first.
Ryan said: ”I’ve admired Tom for years; his accomplishments are immense. To have him visit the restaurant and spend time with the team has been amazing, especially sharing his own insight into some of the things he’s had to face over the years to maintain his success and to be able to deliver and meet expectations of every guest that comes through the door.
“Operating at this level is hard work, it’s a total team effort and it’s definitely not for the faint hearted, but the rewards are well worth it. Everyone in the industry needs to be very aware of the demands and impact all this can have, and above all make sure that we look after everyone along the way taking into account health, well-being and our work-life balance.’’
