Paul Nicholson named head chef at The Clock House in Ripley

Serina Drake, owner of Michelin-starred restaurant The Clock House, in Ripley, Surrey, has announced the appointment of Paul Nicholson as head chef. Nicholson, aged 37, joins from Frances Atkins' The Yorke Arms in Nidderdale, Yorkshire, where he was head chef. He has also honed his culinary skills and gained extensive experience working in a number of other award-winning establishments such as Storrs Hall and Lords of the Manor.

Commenting on his plans to move south with his family, he says: "The Clock House already has an excellent reputation; the team both in the kitchen and restaurant have created a great dining experience with a relaxed, yet highly professional, environment. I look forward to bringing its guests new dishes, and creating a more inclusive, continuously evolving menu."

Serina Drake says: "We considered a number of other highly skilled and suitable chefs for the position. But as well as his obvious culinary talent, Paul demonstrated a clear desire to work closely with me, our manager Iain McArthur, and the rest of the team in developing some very exciting plans we are already working on for the restaurant."