Alan O'Kane leaves Foxhills to take up head chef post at Black Swan, Helmsley

Alan O'Kane has returned to his native North East to take up the position of head chef at the 45-bedroom, four-AA-star Black Swan hotel in Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

He replaces Patrick Bardoulet, who arrived at the Black Swan in November 2014.

Having worked during the early years of his career in London at the Savoy and Capital hotels, O'Kane has spent the past 18 months as executive chef at the Surrey hotel and resort, Foxhills.

In between his two southern stints, he ran two restaurants in the North East: the Angel in Corbridge, Northumberland, and Sidney's in Tynemouth. He has also worked at the Fisherman's Lodge at Jesmond Dene, Newcastle; Wynard Hall in County Durham; and Gilpin Lodge in Windermere, Cumbria.

In his new role, O'Kane will be responsible for the three-AA-rosette Gallery restaurant.

Paul O' Hanlon, general manager of the Black Swan, said: "It's fantastic to have Alan on board. He's already making his mark and we're now in safe hands to take our dining experience at the Black Swan to even greater heights.

"Not only do we have a brilliant chef, he's so generous with his time and knowledge, sharing some of his top tips with the up and coming young talents in the kitchen, there's a real buzz about the place."