New chef wants you to dine like royalty

RETIREMENT VILLAGE HAS LUXURY ON THE MENU

- By LORNA HUGHES

A CHEF who has cooked for US presidents and royalty has taken up a new role at a luxury retirement village.

Mark Bennett has joined Middleton Hall Retirement Village as head chef after a career spent working at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues and events.

Mark will oversee all food at the retirement village near Darlington, including dining options for residents living in the luxury care services and the menus in the village’s Orangery bistro. He will also be in charge of a special calendar of themed restaurant nights.

Originally from Scarborough, Mark's passion for food was sparked as a 14-year-old pot washer in his extended family's local restaurant.

His first taste of hospitality led to an ambition to become a chef, which has since taken him from royal banquets to international air shows.