Culinary couple’s national coup

A culinary couple from Artisan Restaurant, in Hessle, East Yorkshire has been short-listed alongside some of the Country’s most famous chefs in a major National Restaurant Award.

Self taught chef Richard Johns, and his wife Lindsey, are somewhat stunned to find themselves up against superchefs Raymond Blanc and Heston Blumenthal in the London Restaurant Awards.

“This is the biggest thing for us - we really are up against the best in the country,” says Lindsey, who was a police Scenes of Crime Officer until she married Richard four years ago. “We didn’t apply for the award, so it’s come as a total surprise.”

The nomination in the “Out of London” category of the prestigious awards, means that Artisan in the affluent suburb of Hessle, in the shadow of the majestic Humber Bridge, has now been recognised as being among the top 40 regional restaurants in the UK.

The couple will find out if they win at a glittering, televised awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in September, where they’ll rub shoulders with the Country’s top chefs and the host of the evening, comedian Jack Dee.

The glittering event will be in stark contrast to the intimate, low key approach they take to their own restaurant where Richard does all the cooking and Lindsey looks after front of house – with only occasional help on busy weekends.

“It doesn’t feel Iike going to work” said Lindsey “It’s just like having people round for dinner. We only have 16 covers and have no interest in expanding. We made the decision to have a standard driven restaurant and it seems that our customers really appreciate it”.

Reflecting the changing seasons, Richard’s menu at Artisan offers diners two choices for starters, main courses and puddings, with a fabulous 6 course “tasting menu” running alongside.

With such attention to detail and high standards, it’s no wonder that the word has spread amongst local diners. “We are delighted” said Richard, “that the unique experience we offer our customers is so well received and has led to us being nominated for this fantastic award.”

With a massive regeneration project underway in the Humberside region, Richard and Lindsey are proud that in their modest way, they’re helping to put the area firmly on the culinary map.

“Hull used to have a poor image, but only two weeks ago Hull City went up into the Premier League – and now we’ve received this nomination. I think people are at last beginning to realise that there are a lot of good things going on here,” Richard adds.

Artisan Restaurant is located at 22 The Weir, Hessle, East Yorkshire, HU13 0RU.

For more information, visit Artisanrestaurant.com.