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New team at the top for Teesside eatery

An acclaimed bistro in Stokesley has appointed a new kitchen management team to cope with its growth and allow staff to develop their skills.

Howards has continued to grow in popularity since Graham Howard and his family took over the business in 2008 and has notched up a number of accolades, such as being included in the Harden’s UK Restaurant Survey- one of the UK’s most influential food guides- for four consecutive years.

To allow the bistro to build on its success, a new kitchen team- made up of familiar faces- has been appointed by managers.

Former head chef, Michael Chase, remains part of the creative team at Howards but is developing his professional skills by studying for further qualifications at Teesside University. As a result, Andrew Russell and Owen Brosan have taken over the full-time running of the kitchen.

Both chefs have been with Howards for around two years and gained a range of qualifications. Owen, from Great Ayton, and Andrew, from Middlesbrough, will work closely with Michael Chase on developing menus and new dishes.

In addition, Edwina Banks becomes commis chef at Howards having achieved her NVQ Level 3 in professional cookery and having worked with the business for almost a year.

Family-run Howard’s prides itself on working with local suppliers and employing local people with all of the 15 staff living within a 10 mile radius of Stokesley.

The bistro was taken over by local businessman, Graham Howard, and his family in 2008 and has continued to grow in popularity thanks to its mix of its Market Menu, family favourite dishes, comfort food and seasonally-changing menus.

Graham Howard said: “Ensuring we have the right mix of staff is vital to our success. The team we have in place has a great variety of skills and experience which will allow us to offer customers our old favourites as well as some exciting new ideas- after all we have to keep the business fresh. All of the staff have been with us for a number of years and I didn’t want to lose any of them so we have restructured the team to allow them to continue with their studies- something I am very keen to encourage.”

http://www.howards-eatery.co.uk/

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Addison .