Danny Parker is leaving his role as Executive Chef at Jesmond Dene House

Danny Parker has announced he is leaving his role as Executive Chef at Jesmond Dene House at the end of April.

He’s looking to take on a role as a yacht chef after nearly five years at the Newcastle based boutique hotel, to allow him more time to spend with his daughter and think about where he wants his career to go in the future.

Danny said: “My whole career happened by accident really and years ago I wanted to go on yachts, but it never happened. I know a few people who are doing it and I just think the time is right for me now.

“I’ve always said to young chefs when they come in to the kitchen, you can be a chef anywhere in the world and that is one of the beautiful things about hospitality. And yet here I am, 20 miles away from where I grew up!”

The former MasterChef: The Professionals finalist and Great British Menu contestant, took on a new project when he launched Fern restaurant within Jesmond Dene House last year. And he says leaving has been ‘a really tough decision’ not just for family reasons but because he ‘enjoys the job’.

“It’s difficult to hand your notice in and explain why, when there is nothing wrong with your job role. I think it’s just the timing – I’d been at House of Tides for five years, I’ve now been here five years… maybe it’s a five year itch!

“I just want to explore some new options, cook some new types of food and styles of food – I really like the idea of the variety of not knowing what you’ll be cooking each day.”

He added: “You can’t sit back and hope your life will be what you want it to be if you don’t try and change some things. It’s a big risk but hopefully it will mean a big reward in the long run.”