Innovation has long been at the heart of the ever-popular menu at The Palmichael in Burton Latimer – and that focus on always offering something new and different is carrying on in the shape of one of the restaurant’s talented young chefs.
The renowned Italian restaurant once again took the Restaurant of the Year title at this year’s Weetabix Northamptonshire Food & Drink Awards – the fourth time it has won the award. And it was a double celebration, with 19-year-old Harvey Tapp being named Booker Young Chef of the Year at the Royal and Derngate ceremony.
Harvey works closely with Head Chef Michael Palmiero to produce the restaurant’s signature dishes, created with respect for traditional Italian flavours but with a focus on always giving diners, who come from far and wide to visit The Palmichael, something original.
Harvey takes the same approach – and it was the freedom he has been given to develop his own dishes at The Palmichael that helped impress the judges at this year’s awards.
Michael’s sister, Maria Walker, who runs the front of house at the family-run restaurant that was opened
by their parents Vincenzo and Angela back in 1981, explained what the double win at the county’s biggest food awards meant to the team.
“It means the world to us because makes everything you put into running a successful restaurant worth it,” she said. “These are tough times for everyone in the hospitality industry, food prices fluctuate by the day and energy prices are high, but we’ve got a very loyal customer base and it’s up to us to work hard to give them what they want.
“Michael has always been keen to keep the menu varied and fresh, while sticking to the traditional tastes and flavours of Italy. He and his team insist on using the best locally sourced seasonal ingredients wherever they can, and from the best Italian artisan suppliers.
“Harvey joined us earlier this year and he’s a very driven and talented young chef. He has a lot of great ideas and Michael has encouraged him to come up with his own dishes, and he’s learned so much in the time he’s been with us. If he suggests something, he and Michael will work on it together until it’s ready to go on our menu.
“His win, combined with winning Restaurant of the Year for the second time in three years, made it a fantastic night for us.”
The Palmichael has built an excellent reputation for fine dining over the years, the menu features regular specials and new dishes that are developed by Michael and his team using their combined years of experience in Italian cuisine.
And news of more success at the awards is likely to increase bookings at the restaurant which, five years ago, extended its first-floor seating area to allow for busy periods by almost doubling the amount of covers available.
The versatile upstairs space, which has its own bar, is also ideal for larger groups for private dining, business lunches or corporate entertaining. It is perfect for groups of 30 or more as a private dining, and, depending on the size of the party, guests are able to choose from the main menu or organise a set menu in advance with the restaurant team.
Maria added: “Being able to expand the upstairs space, and also create a small snug area on the first floor, has given us more flexibility for when we need it. It meant that we increased the capacity by another 35 to 40 people, which is much needed at the weekends and during busier periods.
“And while it has allowed us to increase the number of diners we can host, it has also opened up opportunities at other, quieter times when people need somewhere private, or more space. That might be a family party or a company hosting guests from out of town.
“And we have a number of businesses and groups who book the upstairs area and turn it into a meeting space, bringing projectors or white boards, so they can combine their meetings with dining together in the restaurant.”
To find out more about The Palmichael, to view menus or to book, visit the website or call 01536 723641.
