A renowned young chef has taken over the former Tom and Nellie’s restaurant in Bedale, North Yorkshire.

Ruth Hansom, from Darlington, named Young National Chef of the Year in 2017, is planning to run her restaurant and wine bar in the Grade II-listed premises which closed nearly a year ago after running into problems.

The chef could not be contacted for comment, but the website reveals Hansom’s restaurant is opening for several nights before Christmas offering small plate meals before opening fully next year.

The new site is being run in partnership with her husband Mark Hansom-Rigby. Ruth, 27, has been working as executive head chef at the fine dining Samuel’s restaurant at Swinton Castle near Masham over the summer, and it was known she had been looking to run her own place.

The Northern Echo: Superchef Ruth Hansom is opening in Bedale

Tom and Nellie’s restaurant was opened in the historic building by Cathy and Karl Mason, the family behind Mason’s Gin, two years ago.

The building had been the home of Cathy’s grandparents for nearly half a century and the restaurant was named Tom and Nellie’s in their honour.

They had been the vergers of nearby St Gregory’s Church. Despite good reviews the couple closed it last New Year after running into major problems recruiting staff.

The Northern Echo:

On the website Ruth adds: “After months of planning behind-the-scenes, I’m thrilled to finally introduce Hansom Restaurant & Wine Bar to you; and with it, some BIG news.

“Located in the heart of Bedale, Hansom is all about combining the very best produce from the land, Earth and sea in a purposefully-designed epicurean adventure of food and drink, think an intimate tasting menu experience served in our ground floor restaurant, alongside a relaxed upstairs wine bar and menu with everything from confit mallard croquettes to a Masham pigs charcuterie selection too.”

Growing up in Darlington, Ruth trained at Westminster College, followed by a three-year apprenticeship at the Ritz.