August 31 2005
Newcastle’s eagerly anticipated new hotel opens its doors on September 1 and renowned chef, and owner, Terry Laybourne starts work in his ‘dream kitchen’ for the first time. Terry Laybourne, and property developer partner Peter Candler, will realise their dream tomorrow with Jesmond Dene House. It is the culmination of over three years work, and a lifetime of ambition to bring a quality, boutique hotel and restaurant to the North East. The £7m refurbishment project is now almost complete and the grade II listed building, located in two acres of gardens in the heart of Jesmond Dene, will open on September 1.
Michelin star chef Terry Laybourne said: “I grew up in hotels, I learnt my craft at some of the best hotels in the world and it has always been my ambition to bring something of this standard and quality to the North East. Jesmond Dene House is a result of this dream and the kitchen, for me, is the epitome of this quest. It is the result of 30 years experience – it’s a dream kitchen. It has the best equipment money can buy and provides the 16 chefs who will work there with one of the best working environments around. There can only be one ‘best hotel in Newcastle’ and this is what we are aiming to achieve with this property.“
Terry’s kitchen is a true labour of love; kitchen designers CNG Group, from Felling in Gateshead, completed the installation after some 47 revisions to the original design.
It has cost almost £400,000 and includes an island suite with a custom built French Athanor range – one of only two in the UK. The kitchen area also features a pastry kitchen, rotisserie, staff relaxation area and head chef’s office with LCD TV screens to monitor activity in the dining rooms. Laybourne’s new head chef - Jose Graziosi, formerly senior sous chef at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, will lead the kitchen.
The accommodation side of Jesmond Dene House features 40 bedrooms including several suites – these include Apartment Suite with roof terrace and the Noble Suite, named after Sir Andrew Noble, the former owner of the house in the 19th Century. The extensive refurbishment programme has taken place under the stewardship of Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall (JDDK) architects in Newcastle. JDDK have extensive experience in the restoration of historic properties and have ensured that the new hotel retains the integrity of the original building. The interior styling by Jill Holst of Ward Robinson is in keeping with the age of the property, but introduces a modern, but warm feel.
Partner Peter Candler explains: “The bedrooms are an eclectic mix of traditional arts and crafts and modern interior design. A sympathetic mix of the old and the new is used throughout, and each room has been designed to take on a warm feel, using depth of colour to create a sense of comfort and luxury. Jesmond Dene House will be a special hotel in a special setting – a city location with the unique benefits of a parkland environment. We hope that the hotel and restaurant will soon be regarded as one of the finest in the region, and that it will become a showcase for all that is great about the North East.”
