Brayden Davies 'delighted' to be appointed head chef of the Box Tree in Ilkley

Brayden Davies has said he is "delighted" to be appointed head chef of the Box Tree in Ilkley.

The chef will bring subtle influences from his native Australia as well as a focus on locally foraged ingredients.

He said: "I'm delighted to be taking the helm and making my own unique mark on the history of this iconic restaurant.

"The new menu has a more modern twist, and I'm excited to combine my different cooking style with the rich and traditional heritage the restaurant is renowned for.

"Longstanding diners, as well as new customers, will receive the attention to detail that they should expect from a premium restaurant. I pride myself on knowing all of our suppliers, to ensure that the ingredients we use are of the finest quality."

Davies has previously worked at Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall in Ripon, Raby Hunt in Darlington, Northcote in Langho and the Angel at Hetton.

General manager Chris Stapleton added: "Brayden brings a fresh vibrancy to the Box Tree and, having honed his skills in prestigious kitchens both in the UK and across the world, he brings an innovative approach to classic cuisine and a dedication to sourcing the finest seasonal ingredients.

"The feedback so far has been incredible, and we're really looking forward to many more people experiencing the next generation of the Box Tree."

The Box Tree was the first restaurant outside of London to receive a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland. The restaurant, which first opened its doors in 1962, has hosted chefs including Michael Truelove, Edward Denny and Marco Pierre White.

Chef Simon Gueller and wife Rena took over the Yorkshire restaurant in 2004 and gained a Michelin star the following year, which it held until the release of the 2019 guide. Gueller left the Box Tree later that year.