The Nidderdale Voices column with Julie and Mike Blacker, owners of Olley’s Italian restaurant

Nidderdale is famous for its pubs and restaurants and today we are meeting up with a couple whose restaurant is loved by both residents and visitors to Pateley Bridge
Julie Blacker.Julie Blacker.
Julie Blacker.

Olley’s Italian restaurant is owned and run by Julie and Mike Blacker and just for this morning Julie took a break from her busy schedule to spare time for a chat.

Born in Bridlington, her favourite subject at Bridlington High School was Domestic Science, so it was not surprising that she should continue her education taking a City and Guilds Certificate in catering at the East Yorkshire College in Driffield.

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From here, Julie went on to work as a chef at the Post House in York and it was whilst working here that she met Mike, also a chef, who was to become her husband. This was also the start of their working partnership. The couple moved to Harrogate where Mike initially took up a post at The Old Swan and later joined Julie at the Majestic where they worked together for the 20 years.

Julie and Mike Blacker are pictured outside Olley’s Italian restaurant in Pateley Bridge.Julie and Mike Blacker are pictured outside Olley’s Italian restaurant in Pateley Bridge.
Julie and Mike Blacker are pictured outside Olley’s Italian restaurant in Pateley Bridge.

During this time they married, bought a house and brought up their two children.

In 2008 with their children grown up, Julie and Mike seized the opportunity to buy into Olley’s, achieving their ambition to run their own business.

Building on its success, they continued with the already established Italian theme and offer many of the dishes as takeaway.

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On most days there is shopping to be done. Ingredients for the restaurant are sourced locally where possible and on Wednesdays fresh fruit and vegetables are bought from Knaresborough market.

Mike’s first job is to make the pizza dough and fresh bread which is made on a daily basis, followed by general food preparation. In normal times the restaurant opens at 5pm and last orders are 9.30pm but when restrictions are in place takeaway only orders can be placed from 3pm. Mike is in charge of the kitchen and Julie operates at front of house. Whilst continuing the Italian theme of pasta and pizzas, Olley’s menu also offers a specials board ranging from fish to chicken and steaks.

All food is homemade and individually cooked so that they can cater for different tastes and allergies

Running your own business does not give you much time off but towards the end of September Julie and Mike try to have a holiday in the sun. An enjoyable day out would be visiting their son who lives in London or their daughter who now lives in York. Julie tries to find time for sewing, sketching and relaxing in her garden. Mike continues to do much of the cooking at home. He even uses the BBQ in winter. Julie contributes by doing some of the baking.

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If Julie had to pick her favourite Nidderdale business she would choose Sarah Garforth’s studio at Ramsgill where Sarah creates and displays her artwork depicting Nidderdale scenes.

All the year round Nidderdale has become such a special place for Julie.

In summer tourists coming to the area flock to Olley’s and the restaurant is well known by caravanners. Once visited they come back again and again. Throughout Winter the restaurant has great support from locals meeting up for a quiet meal out.

Obviously, Julie would like to change the uncertainty of the future and return completely to normal, but whatever is in store Julie and Mike are determined to tackle it together and to continue to make Olley’s a success. For now, the convenience of living in Harrogate and the beauty of working in Pateley allows them the best of both worlds, but one day maybe their home will be in Nidderdale.

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