Samira Effa named head chef at EightyEight at Grantley Hall

Samira Effa has been appointed head chef at Bar and Restaurant EightyEight at Grantley Hall hotel in Ripon, North Yorkshire.

The chef, who appeared on the 2019 and 2020 series of the BBC's Great British Menu, joins from a senior production role at culinary supplier Truefoods.

She was previously head chef at Simon Gueller's the Box Tree in Ilkley and head chef at Alimentum in Cambridge.

Effa said: "I'm honoured for the opportunity and so excited to be joining the Bar & Restaurant EightyEight team and know that with my breadth of knowledge across the industry, I'm ready to showcase some exciting flavours and bring new ideas to the EightyEight menu.

"I've always had a passion for food with my parent's rich backgrounds, it was common for us at home to cook together using traditional Iranian and Nigerian recipes – both of which are bursting with flavour! I can't wait to get stuck in at EightyEight and bring my own flair to the restaurant which I know is a popular spot for hotel guests and diners alike."

Simon Crannage, executive head chef at Grantley Hall, said the team were "very excited" to see what Effa would bring to the role.

He added: "Samira has an exceptional culinary track record, along with having a genuine passion and love for food that I know will translate into her dishes for our diners to enjoy."

Bar and Restaurant EightyEight is one of five food and beverage outlets at the five-AA-red-star Grantley Hall, which is also home to the Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall.