Chris O’Callaghan appointed head chef at Castle Dairy

Castle Dairy - a fine dining restaurant and art gallery which is run by apprentices from Kendal College - announces Chris O’Callaghan as its new head chef.

Chris said: “It’s an exciting position to be in and I can’t wait to get into the new kitchen and start doing what I do best – cooking excellent quality food whilst training the next generation of young chefs.

“People dining at the new-look Castle Dairy can expect to enjoy contemporary food and service in a historic setting.”

The 34 year old chef from Kendal is working with the College’s Head of School for Hospitality, Robert Marshall-Slater to oversee the redevelopment of the Grade 1 listed building after it was flooded last December.

Robert Marshall-Slater, Head of School for Hospitality at Kendal College, said: “It’s quite an unusual position for a new Head Chef to find himself in with the Castle Dairy still being closed after the dreadful floods last December.  However, getting Chris in place was a real coup for us and we’re delighted that he’s got this opportunity to build up his team of young chefs and front of house staff before we reopen.

“The Castle Dairy has established a strong reputation in Kendal in the last few years and we know that having Chris in place will take it to the next level, so we’re all excited to see what the future holds for this unique restaurant.”

One of the new developments planned at the Castle Dairy is the introduction of a chefs table where Chris will cook in front of his guests.

Chris joins the Castle Dairy after four years as Head Chef at the 4-star Linthwaite House in Windermere where he achieved 3AA rosettes. He also worked at Michelin-starred restaurants, Paris House in Bedfordshire and L’ortolan near Reading, as well as the Michelin-starred Gravetye Manor Hotel in Sussex. 

The Grade I listed building, which houses the Castle Dairy Restaurant and Art Gallery, was flooded on Saturday, December 5, 2015. Both the kitchen and the bar area have been ripped out and redesigned and work is expected to start on fitting in the coming weeks. It is hoped that the new-look Castle Dairy will reopen before the end of the year with Kendal College and South Lakeland District Council doing everything possible to get the building open in time for the festive season.