Morston Hall announces change of ownership

Ownership of Morston Hall has been transferred to hotelier Henry Elworthy.

​Morston Hall is a distinguished country house hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant situated in the village of Morston, near Holt on the North Norfolk coast.

The restaurant at Morston Hall has retained a Michelin star since 1999.

Chef Galton Blackiston, who co-founded the establishment with his wife Tracy in 1992, will continue to play a pivotal role as executive chef, maintaining his dedication to the hotel.

In a post on social media, it read: “Following on from a fantastic 33 years of building a stable and award winning business under the ownership & direction of both Galton and Tracy Blackiston.

“Morston Hall would now like to announce its new chapter following the sale to hotelier Henry Elworthy.

"Chef Galton will be remaining at the core of the business as executive chef carrying on his dedication and passion for the hotel and his 27 years of holding a Michelin Star. With Henry focused on investing into the hotel’s future with planned refurbishments.

“We very much look forward to continuing the excellence that has been built to date and building on that to continue providing what Chef Galton does best for many more years to come.”

New head chef

Morston Hall also recently welcomed Mike Naidoo as the new head chef.

He gained national recognition for his appearance on BBC Two’s Great British Menu in 2024, showcasing his exceptional talent and innovative approach to cooking.

His journey began in the New Forest, where he initially pursued a career in physiotherapy.

However, his passion for food led him to switch paths and embark on a culinary adventure.

Mike started in a local fish and chip shop, honing his skills and developing a deep appreciation for fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

His career took a significant turn when he moved to London, working alongside renowned chefs like Jason Atherton at Pollen Street Social.

In a recent social media post, Morston Hall announced: “We have some exciting news to share. This week we will be delighted to welcome our new head chef Mike Naidoo joining chef Galton at the pass. Mike comes with a wealth of experience in the industry.

“Following in the footsteps of our chef patron, you may notice Mike from his appearance on the Great British Menu, as well as experience gained from other Michelin-starred restaurants throughout his career.

“We are extremely excited about this new chapter and look forward to seeing the new duo in action.”

written by Abi kinsella