Two prominent female chefs announced their resignations this week – Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef at Northcote in Lancashire, and Sally Abé of the Pem in London.
Lisa is stepping down after spending 23 years – more than half her life – at Northcote, the Ribble Valley institution where she has also acted as host chef for Obsession, the annual chefs’ festival which attracts packed houses every January. She has also been chef director the Stafford in St James’s, London, since the Stafford acquired Northcote six years ago.
Lisa announced her departure with a post which opened: “Okay, here we go!!! After 23 amazing years at Northcote, the time has come for me to move on and explore new opportunities.
“I am incredibly proud of everything we have accomplished at Northcote and, more recently, across The Stafford Collection. The journey has been nothing short of amazing, and it has been an honour to lead such an exceptional team.
“I am so thankful for the opportunity Craig Bancroft and all the team at Northcote have given me. I am leaving Northcote with the happiest of memories, after more than two decades it will always have a very special place in my heart!
“I am excited to see what happens next and exploring all new opportunities, whatever they may be. While this is a bittersweet moment, I wish the team continued success in the years ahead.”
Craig Bancroft, Northcote’s managing director, said: “Lisa’s leadership in the kitchen, dedication to showcasing the finest British ingredients, and ability to inspire those around her have made a lasting impact—not just on Northcote, but on the industry as a whole.
“It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside her, and we are incredibly grateful for everything she has given. Lisa will always be a part of the Northcote family, and we wish her nothing but success in the future.”
John McLean, managing director of The Stafford Collection, added: “Lisa has been the beating heart of Northcote’s kitchen, setting new standards for British cuisine and making an extraordinary impact on the industry.
“Her legacy is one of excellence, creativity, and mentorship, and we are immensely grateful for all she has given. While we will miss her dearly, we celebrate everything she has achieved and know she will continue to shine in her next chapter.”
Meanwhile, Sally Abé, who previously led the kitchen at The Harwood Arms, will leave The Pem at The Conrad St James hotel at the end of April – just short of four years after launching it. A high-profile campaigner against sexism in the kitchen, her memoir A Woman’s Place Is In The Kitchen was published last year.
A spokesman for the hotel said: “We are hugely grateful to Sally Abé for her culinary leadership over the last four years, taking the hotel’s dining venues from strength to strength, building a strong culture of inclusion and empowering many up and coming women to forge a fulfilling career in our industry. We wish her all the best in her next endeavours.“
