Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Executive Chef at Northcote.

Who: Lisa Goodwin-Allen

What you do: Executive Chef at Northcote.

Where is your hometown? Were you born here or did you move here? I was brought up in Morecambe, a seaside town in the North West, but moved to the village of Whalley then Clitheroe when I started working at Northcote, where I have chosen to settle with my family. Clitheroe is a market town in the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire; home to many picturesque, historic villages, stunning rural views and fantastic food and drink.

What makes you consider it home? Northerners are well-known for being friendly, and I’ve been welcomed to this area, which is also a fantastic hub for artisan producers. There is always something new to try and is a great place to bring up a young family too, with lots to see and do on our doorstep.

What is your favorite local dish and/or place to eat?  I love taking the family to the Inn at Whitewell, a manor house which dates back to the 1300s on the Duchy of Lancaster estate. It’s a spectacular drive through the Forest of Bowland, and serves comforting, humble, tasty food in beautiful surroundings. You can enjoy a pint of local ale or enjoy a stunning glass of wine with your meal.

At Northcote, I like to take traditional values and put a modern twist on them to create dishes that pay homage to forgotten cuts of meat like Ox or Mutton and fruit like Keswick Codlin apples which are a lesser known traditional Lancashire variety but have so much flavour.

What is your favorite place to stay when you are “home?” For me, there’s nowhere quite like my own home, but for a truly relaxing, special and memorable experience, Northcote is the place to stay.

And where do you suggest that travelers stay to feel “local?” There’s so much choice from village b&bs and rural camping pods to individually designed rooms and suites at Northcote. There really is something for everyone!

What unexpected activities can you experience in your hometown? The Ribble Valley and surrounding area is becoming well-known for its independent producers. Many open up their doors to the public to offer experiences like distillery tours to learn about Cuckoo Gin at their Brindle Distillery. Holmes Mill in Clitheroe is the home of Bowland Brewery and a food hall packed with the best foods all produced close by. There are many breweries in the area where you can visit and sample some of their fine ales. There are also fantastic cheese producers where you can go to taste some of the area’s incredible local cheeses. And the small local boutiques are unbeatable for their customer service, a refreshing change from the big high street stores. Walking and cycling are big around here to, with routes from strolls and family bike rides to challenging hill climbs. The views are hard to beat!

What’s a neighborhood I need to explore off the tourist map? The Ribble Valley area is still quite unknown to those outside the county and it’s a real shame. We’re less than an hour from Liverpool and Manchester and can offer a very different experience, warm welcome and definitely a place to visit if you like to holiday like the locals. Climbing Pendle Hill is a rite of passage if you visit. It’s an imposing hill, but the views are worth the effort!

What makes your hometown special/unique? The Ribble Valley was voted the happiest place to live in the UK in 2019  by the Office of National Statistics, with Whalley and Clitheroe being regularly voted in the top ‘best places to live’ surveys. The specialist knowledge you get from shopping local makes it special for me. I chose to raise my family here because there is so much to do for all of us. I’ve made friends for life here!

What is your favorite memory in your hometown? Why? Last year I took chef James Martin to Holmes Mill. Being from the next county of Yorkshire, I wanted to prove to him that Lancashire produce is just as good (if not better!) and I was so proud to introduce him to some delicacies he’s not tried before, like Eccles cakes.

I have many memories of family days out in the area too, as we love to explore the Ribble Valley together!

Why would someone want to visit your hometown? The area is brimming with the northern hospitality we are famous for. Visitors receive a warm welcome from lovely people and will discover hidden gems for themselves.