A NEW management team has taken the helm at a five-star resort's restaurants.

Following the appointment earlier this year of executive head chef, Richard Allen, Rockliffe Hall, in Hurworth, near Darlington, has announced a new team to manage its three restaurants.

Mr Allen has sole responsibility for The Orangery, with emphasis on offering tasting menus and Michelin-standard cuisine, while Aaron Craig is now head chef in the Brasserie and Paul O’Hara has taken over the running of the Clubhouse.

Both Mr Craig and Mr O’Hara have been with Rockliffe Hall for several years and are highly-regarded in their sector having worked for the likes of Terry Laybourne, Rick Stein, Raymond Blanc and Paul Rankin at locations across the UK and Ireland.

Joining Mr Allen in The Orangery is Shaun Corrigan who will take on the role of Old Hall manager with responsibility for overseeing service at breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner in The Orangery and the Old Hall lounges.

Mr Corrigan is also a master sommelier with more than 30 years’ experience at locations such as Chewton Glen in the New Forest, Sandy Lane in Barbados and the Burj al Arab in Dubai as well as restaurants across Europe, the US and in London.

Speaking about his new role, he said: “It’s a really exciting time to be joining Rockliffe Hall with a new team at the helm with big plans. I am planning to enhance our service standards to offer guests the very best experience- informed yet informal- and I’ll also be looking to expand our wine offering.”

Executive head chef, Richard Allen, added: “Since joining Rockliffe Hall in January, I’ve been working with the existing team to make sure the best chefs are in the right roles as we’re always keen to develop our in-house team."