THE new landlord of a Weardale pub is harbouring a secret.

Not many people know that John McGinnety, of The Black Bull in Wolsingham, has cooked for the Royal Family and top celebrities at some of London's leading restaurants.

John, who took over the pub with wife Linda five weeks ago, catered for the Queen when she opened Durham County Cricket Club's ground in 1995.

And the privileged all had one thing in common - they liked simple, good quality food. "So many people spend so long trying to impress them when all they want is a good square meal, said John.

He trained at the Ritz Hotel, in London, then worked at La Caprice, where West End theatre stars and actors such as Orson Welles were regulars.

"Orson Welles had his own chair because of the sheer bulk of him and he used to have double portions of everything, which he paid for quite cheerfully," said John.

He worked on cruises before posts at the Imperial Hotel, Newcastle, and catering manager at Durham University. He was at the Ramside Hall Hotel when it got the club-opening contract.

The father-of-two left the hotel after 10 years for his latest venture. "I haven't said anything to the customers about where I've worked so they might get a shock," he said.