Former GBM chef Mark Ellis to leave Peckforton Castle

Former Great British Menu chef Mark Ellis is to leave his role as head chef of the three-AA-rosette Peckforton Castle in Tarporley, Cheshire, to open his own restaurant in February.

Allium by Mark Ellis, a restaurant and bar with rooms, will be located in Lynedale House, Tattenhall. The restaurant will cease trading in its current guise on New Year's Eve.

Ellis told The Caterer Allium would bring his "eclectic style and imagination to the food and beverage offering" and will complement its five bespoke bedrooms. The bedrooms are expected to open in March.

He leaves Peckforton Castle after the Christmas period after nearly a decade as head chef. In addition to his rosettes, he has twice appeared on BBC2's Great British Menu, representing the North West, in 2014 and 2015.

Ellis said: "I am sad to be leaving Peckforton Castle, which I have called home for the last nine years and I wish the team every success, but it is now time to move on. I am excited to bring my vision for exciting and interesting food and drink to Tattenhall, the location is stunning and the locals seem to be getting behind us which is great news. We are there to cater for them first and foremost, but we hope to welcome guests from all over.

"The previous owners have done a spectacular job and I hope to build on the success they have had."

Prior to joining Peckforton Castle, Ellis trained in some of the country's most respected hotels and Michelin-starred properties.

Originally from the Wirral, he first worked in a number of local restaurants before joining Simon Radley's brigade at the Chester Grosvenor. He then left to undertake "a cook's tour" of the UK where he had the opportunity of working in some of the country's finest restaurants, among them Gordon Ramsay's Pétrus. He moved to the 1851 restaurant at Peckforton Castle in 2007.

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