In the wake of Juniper’s Paul Kitching – who recently announced his departure for Edinburgh – another top Manchester chef has announced a move to more favourable climes. Eyck Zimmer, chef of top local hotel, the Lowry, is heading for Lisbon in June, reports the Manchester Evening News.

At the same time, however, it emerges that another ‘local hero’ – Robert Kisby, who used to cook at the ambitious Mont (now closed) – is to return to the city, to cook fusion fare at the forthcoming Yang Sing Hotel.