Rockliffe Hall culinary director to open new residency

Rockliffe Hall has revealed that its culinary director James Close, is set to open a new summer residency on 13 June 2024.

Close, former chef patron of two-Michelin Star Raby Hunt joined Rockliffe Hall as culinary director in February 2024 to identify opportunities to strengthen the dining experiences at the five-star hotel.

This residency is part of developing several varied culinary experiences at the resort. Close will also open a brand-new restaurant in 2025 that will take diners on a “unique journey inspired by global gastronomy”.

At Terra, the menu will be split into sections relating to size, offering guests the freedom to “create their own dining story”, which they can repeat or reinvent with each visit.

Guests will find plates including, Carabineros simply grilled over charcoal with garlic, wine, chilli, parsley enriched by the juice from the heads and served with a fresh-baked baguette, or a signature sushi selection combining Kabayaki eel, foie gras, purple shiso and wasabi.

There will also be dishes for two such as Close’s take on Bouillabaisse with lobster, scallops and seabass, or 65 day aged sirloin cooked on the bone over charcoal with confit red peppers.

The residency will find its home in a first-floor space at the hotel, which has a balcony for drinks and views over the 375-acre estate and 18-hole golf course. The 35-cover restaurant combines a palette of “bright blues and warm neutral tones”, with simple tableware, and newly commissioned local art.

Close said: “At Terra, we are cooking food that focuses on great ingredients and great flavours,both from near and far. It’s a relaxed experience where guests can order a selection of plates from different sections of the menu, to share or not, and enjoy with a few glasses of interesting wine.”

Shauna Robb, general manager at Rockliffe Hall, added: “We are excited to welcome Terra to the hotel to offer guests and locals a new relaxed dining experience that brings together James’ skills and love for high quality ingredients. It also marks the first phase in developing the offering at Rockliffe Hall as part of our journey to become a world-class luxury destination.”