James Martin in collaboration with Talbot Hotel

The Fitzwilliam Estate has announced that celebrity chef James Martin will be working in collaboration with the Talbot Hotel when it re-opens in the spring, following a £4 million programme of restoration and refurbishment.

Pleased to be returning to his roots, James Martin said: “North Yorkshire is in my blood and I’ve watched the town of Malton successfully build a reputation as a foodie destination, with its popular food festival and the abundance of growers and producers in the area. I’m really looking forward to working with the team behind the new Talbot Hotel. The first step is to plan the kitchen that will be equipped to cater for a 70 cover restaurant, lounge bar and private function room. I shall be looking at sourcing local suppliers and guests can look forward to finding all my favourite Yorkshire produce on the menu, from Wakefield rhubarb to Whitby crab.”

Speaking on behalf of the Talbot Hotel, Tom Naylor-Leyland, who is also responsible for Malton’s Food Festival, said: “This completely sets the tone of what the new hotel will be all about. We have an abundance of fantastic fresh produce right here on our doorstep and James is just the chef to make the most of it, creating exciting dishes that will bring customers back time and again.” The Fitzwilliam Estate is restoring the Talbot Hotel to its former glory, creating a stylish and classical country hotel. There will be 26 bedrooms and suites, a restaurant, lounge bar, public bar, private function room and landscaped grounds.