Harrogate restaurant's success in Observer Food Monthly awards

One of Harrogate's leading independent restaurants has scored a quartet of national awards, marking its most successful year yet.
The Norse team with their two AA Rosettes plate: sous chef Marcus Fisk, server Kasia Michel, head chef Simon Jewitt, and restaurant manager Gareth Baker.The Norse team with their two AA Rosettes plate: sous chef Marcus Fisk, server Kasia Michel, head chef Simon Jewitt, and restaurant manager Gareth Baker.
The Norse team with their two AA Rosettes plate: sous chef Marcus Fisk, server Kasia Michel, head chef Simon Jewitt, and restaurant manager Gareth Baker.

The Scandanavian-inspired Norse, in Oxford Street, Harrogate, has been named a runner-up in the Observer Food Monthly awards for the second year running.It comes shortly after the restaurant was inspected by the AA for the first time this year and awarded two AA rosettes. Norse has also had double recognition from the UK’s leading restaurant guides: the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide. It now counts itself among the leading restaurants in Yorkshire, just two years after opening its doors.Owner Paul Rawlinson said: “It has been a fantastic month at Norse, with recognition and awards all coming in quick succession.“We have been recognised in the Observer Food Monthly awards before, and included in the Good Food and Michelin Guides. Being awarded two rosettes makes this our most successful year yet.”Chef Simon Jewitt and the team at Norse, including new chef Neill Mackay, are renowned for having developed a creative, modern menu which has proved popular with foodies – and the judges from the awards schemes recognised their innovation and consistency.Norse is now one of just three Harrogate town centre restaurants to be awarded the prestigious two AA rosettes. None have yet achieved the elusive three rosettes, which are given out to only the top 10 per cent of restaurants in the country – or the even more rare four rosettes.Paul Rowlinson said: “All of the guides and ratings that exist in the restaurant world really help us to benchmark where we are compared to other restaurants around the country.”“Being awarded two AA rosettes and recognised by the Observer Food Monthly, Good Food Guide and Michelin Guide will encourage the team to push forwards and aim to attain higher scores in the future.”Norse head chef Simon Jewitt took over the reins from the Oxford Street restaurant’s previous head chef, Murray Wilson, early this year.Simon was born and bred in Harrogate, launching his career in France before developing his skills at independent hotels and restaurants across Yorkshire. When owner Paul Rawlinson launched his Nordic influenced dining concept in the premises of his café, Baltzersen’s, Simon joined the team as sous chef soon after and has played a proactive role in the development of the restaurant’s distinctive locally-sourced dishes. Under Simon’s management, The Tannin Level won Best Lunch at the Oliver Awards in 2014.Norse is the night-time variation of Baltzersens, the popular cafe first launched by Paul Rawlinson in 2012.

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