You’ll be hard pressed to find a kinder man than my brother Solos. Friend to all, he is the most generous and funny human and he has a brilliant business brain to boot.
After his Master’s he joined my Dad in the family business (running 5 restaurants over the years) before Papa G’s short-lived retirement before it was his turn to join my brother in his new venture, taking the reins of the famous and thriving Italian restaurant Zuchinnis in Batley he bought last year.
As if that wasn’t enough to keep Sol busy, he became Commercial Director of Blackmoor Dining & Events with his business partner, the revered chef Danny Collins. Together they host weddings and events at the achingly beautiful Westbourne House in Otley. Today we enjoyed the most delicious Easter lunch of roast chicken, pork and beef with all the trimmings spanning cauliflower and broccoli cheese, peas, Yorkshire puds, roast potatoes, gravy and fish pie for the pescatarians in our party. Since last August, I’ve been following a low carb diet but Florence made up for my lack of carbs by eating 4 yorkshire puddings.
Dessert was a Yorkshire cheese board for me and apple and berry crumble with custard for everyone else. Divine doesn’t even do this food justice. It was the Sunday roast to end all roasts. Delicately seasoned, perfectly cooked and presented, I can’t wait to go back. I’ll pay next time, Sol, promise (hahaha)! Danny insisted on shouting us lunch which was very kind so the least I can do is shout about how genuinely brilliant it is there. Set in stunning gardens the kids could run around in, and a sun trap of a restaurant, we left feeling like we’d stepped into a manor house in France not North Yorkshire.
Next up is a cookery school in the grounds. Count me in!
I can see why they attract so many private dining events and weddings there. Beautiful. Well done Solos, it’s such a pleasure to see you shine and shine, bro!
Order my debut children's book
Greek Myths, Folktales & Legends for 9-12 year olds
Published by Scholastic. Available on Amazon
