Kevin Tickle leaves Forest Side

Tickle, who previously spent several years cooking at Simon Rogen’s Michelin-starred L’Enclume restaurant (also in Cumbria), opened Forest Side in February 2016 in partnership with Wildsmith Hotels, which also owns The Ryebeck and Hipping Hall.

The restaurant achieved major recognition within the first 8 months of opening, gaining three AA rosettes for culinary excellence in September, followed by a Michelin star in October.

In 2017, Forest Side was awarded a fourth AA rosette, while in 2018 Kevin and his team were ranked at number 27 in the Waitrose Good Food Guide.

Earlier this year the restaurant was also recognised with a top 20 ranking in the 2019 Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards, coming in at number 18.

Having left Forest Side, Tickle says he will initially take some time out to be with his family, before embarking on the next stage of his career.

“This has been a long and rewarding journey for the myself and my team,” he says.

“I am really proud of what we have achieved in the last few years and I would like to thank all the suppliers, staff and guests for their support.

“I have been blessed with the most hard-working and dedicated team of chefs and couldn’t have done it without them - thanks guys.’’

"We’d like to thank Kevin for his time spent with us, during which he’s taken the restaurant from strength to strength with his innovative use of Cumbrian produce," adds Alasdair Elwick, general manager at The Forest Side.

"Details of a new Head Chef appointment will be announced in due course. Senior sous chef Ian Waller and the team will continue to deliver the modern cuisine inspired by the landscape of the Lakes which we have become acclaimed for here at The Forest Side – a reputation which we will continue to nourish and develop.

"We would like to wish Kevin every success in his future ventures.“