Though I’m a Yorkshire lass, it never ceases to amaze me how friendly the folk are and how natural it is to have a good old natter with strangers. When I met Rebecca, one of the proprietors of Elsworth Kitchen, it was like stepping into a friend’s new home. She gestured for us to grab a seat in the café and was very patient when we wandered around the place searching for the best spot.
In truth, there wasn’t a ‘best spot’ to grab as the entire café restaurant is well designed and every nook and cranny is welcoming. I wasn’t surprised to discover Rebecca has a degree in Art and Design. I couldn’t resist sitting in the Naughty Corner and loved the way Rebecca engages in her design as a talking point. On this occasion we were only ordering hot drinks. I suffer from allergies and sometimes it is simply too much hassle to eat out. However, I am delighted to report that Rebecca was keen to make provisions for dietary requirement in a friendly manner that did not make me feel like a foodie allergy freak. Nothing was too much trouble!
Rebecca’s husband, Bruce, is the chef and has wealth of experience, including working with working under acclaimed Michelin-star chef Nigel Haworth. Indeed, Bruce came out of the kitchen to explain that the menu is constantly evolving, and he shapes the menu according to feedback. Rebecca and Bruce’s approach appears to be a dynamic approach to dining where they will not churn out the same menu each year. I think I have just discovered the latest trend in dining and it’s about time. At Elsworth Kitchen, food and folk matter, and you’re invited to have a good natter with friends, family and the Elsworth team.
Thursday lunchtime was buzzing and was filled with the sound of happy customers savouring the food. Is there a better accolade than the chorus of ‘mmm’ as people tuck into their great grub? And I have to say it was also wonderful to watch the chefs in action. Some of them listened into the conversation and one chef came to engage in discussion. For me, the philosophy was ‘we care about you and we can tempt you with food’.
The lunch menu is well considered and not over brimming with too many choices: always a good sign. Seasonality sings throughout the menu. But what impressed me is that there was a confident and relaxed approach to the food and flavours in the language of the menu.
I will revisit Elsworth Kitchen because I know it is real food, served by real folk with a real attention to detail and hospitality. I am not surprised that they have received two awards in less than a year. Wishing Rebecca and Bruce the very best of luck. It certainly receives a Books in Handbag Award for hospitality, and I can’t wait to return.
In the meantime, I could not resist finding out more about Rebecca and Bruce’s story. After their lunchtime service, they took the time to have a good old chinwag. As a writer of romance fiction, I was bursting to ask my first question.
Jessie: Where did you meet and was it love across a crowded kitchen?
Rebecca and Bruce: We are both from Skipton, so we have known each other a long time. Owing to our dedication to running different restaurants, our paths didn’t really cross until much later in a local pub. Having similar interests, especially both being big foodies, we would spend our time exploring different European cities and their culinary specialities.
Jessie: Great to hear that food brought you together. This means that Elsworth Kitchen was meant to be, so what should customers expect to find at Elsworth Kitchen?
Rebecca and Bruce: A warm Yorkshire welcome is the first thing that will greet you at Elsworth Kitchen. We offer casual dining in a relaxed environment. In terms of the décor, we spent days trawling through auctions, fairs and reclaim yards to find unique pieces for the restaurant. We have also designed the layout so the kitchen area is open enabling guests to see the team at work. Plus, as we are new parents ourselves, so we have made a special effort to make children feel welcome; there is even a mini kitchen to keep the budding mini chefs busy.
At this stage they politely broke off to greet guests and ensure they had a hearty welcome. And then Rebecca helped some parents with pushchairs find a suitable place. I was impressed.
Jessie: You have been open one year and I see you already have two awards. Share one review that made your heart sing.
Rebecca: Bruce’s cooking style is local, seasonal, hearty and full of taste. I know it’s great food and we have a loyal customer base. Though it’s always wonderful to receive independent feedback. A review that stands out is:
‘Now I’m a real foodie and I love to be wooed by food!! And this place it’s a food lovers heaven!! My friend and I came after having heard great reviews in just the short time it’d being open. The reviews met the expectations and it’s now a firm favourite of mine and a great addition to Skipton’
Jessie: Wow! That is praise indeed and I imagine this restaurant will become an institution in the town. Having a new family and new restaurant must be exhausting for you both. What do you cook at home?
Rebecca: A good old Chicken Dinner with, of course, Yorkshire pudding
Jessie: If invited, what would you cook on Saturday Kitchen?
Bruce: Our signature black pudding dish, the black pudding is made in the traditional farmhouse way and I serve it with homemade smoked beans, slowly cooked ham hock, poached free range egg and finished with our bourbon glace.
Jessie: Who would be your dream dinner guests?
Rebecca and Bruce: Marco Pierre White and Tommy Cooper, now wouldn’t that be a fun night.
Which restaurant do you dream of visiting one day and why?
Bruce: It would have to the famous restaurant Jules Verre, which happens to be in Paris and located halfway up the Eiffel Tower. Say no more!!
Who is your favourite author?
Rebecca: We collect many cook books, old and new, from Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain to Nose to Tail Eating: A Kind of British Cooking by Fergus Henderson.
If you are in Yorkshire, then I recommend you visit Elsworth Kitchen. Rebecca and Bruce explained, ‘We are an independent restaurant situated in the beautiful canal quarter of Skipton.’ You will receive a hearty welcome and great food. Take a peek at the website for more photographs of the stunning food.
Links:
https://elsworthkitchen.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/elsworthkitchen
https://www.instagram.com/elsworthkitchen/
Please all my adventures at Handbag Adventures and my website and blog at JessieCahalin.com.
A copy of my novel is available here.
Feeling relaxed, in our jeans and T shirts, we discussed the merits of the food; each dish looked elegant like a work of art. Much to my husband’s dismay, I started to make notes about the food. The guests on the neighbouring table were intrigued by the notebook. Clearly, I wasn’t a restaurant critic as I was wearing jeans. 
We sipped more of the wine that was so beautifully flavoured with summer fruits that it could have been a soft drink.
More delicious wine was poured into a glass that could happily home several goldfish.
I circled ‘black pudding’ purée several times because I didn’t have my highlighter pen. I do remember that I was offended by the puréed texture but I am a northerner.
Mysteriously, the notebook has splashes of wine and food inside of it but I will keep it as a tribute to the Picasso chef.