Ben Handley (34) is cooking up a storm at Titchwell Manor Hotel, near Brancaster, after joining head chef Eric Snaith (28).

The pair were both born and raised in Thornham and worked together as young chefs around ten years ago before leaving the country to add to their skills and reputations in a number of restaurants in Asia and Australia.

When he returned home Mr Handley's helped put two new Norfolk restaurants on the map, the White Horse at Brancaster Staithe and the King's Head Hotel at Great Bircham, which both won numerous awards including two AA rosettes, under his guidance.

After a spell helping his parents launch a new venture in Lincolnshire, he is now back working alongside Mr Snaith – and both have exciting plans for change at Titchwell Manor.

OVERHAUL

Mr Handley, who lives with his wife Sarah and young family at Snettisham, has been sitting down with Mr Snaith to completely overhaul the menus for spring.

Delighted to be working with his friend again, Mr Snaith said: "We have been out and about sourcing new quality suppliers from some of the great local estates including Houghton where they are breeding rare Norfolk Horn sheep and Long Horn beef cattle on rich pastures.

"Our wonderful Brancaster mussels and oysters come from the waters and creeks just a few miles from our door as well as the bass and trout caught by our local fishermen," he added.

"Ben and I grew up by the sea here and its exciting creating new menus using the pick of these quality ingredients."