BEST ASSURED

His outstanding work has been recognised by his peers. Cornish received the annual Power of Photography award in 2006 and in 2008 he was made an honorary Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. Another highly respected photographer said recently that his work was “as close to artistic and technical perfection as you can get”.

Cornish has lived in North Yorkshire since 1993, with his wife, Jenny Earle, and their two children. In 2004 he bought Register House, a Grade II Listed Building in Northallerton and established Joe Cornish Galleries.

The gallery, over two floors, houses a programme of exhibitions, particularly young and local photographers and artists. Collaborating with David Ward and other photographers, Cornish runs popular workshops that draw visitors from abroad as well as closer to home.

Assignments still take him overseas. Working with renowned wildlife photographer and TV presenter Mark Carwardine on Polar expedition cruise ships has enabled Cornish to photograph breathtaking landscapes in the Arctic and Antarctic. He has just returned from Greenland, which he described as “genuinely one of the most exciting experiences, partly because it is very remote, relatively unknown and unexplored.”

Above: Malham Dale from Malham Cove: Dappled light and rain showers characterise the English landscape, and frequently contribute greatly to a sense of depth and articulation in the space before the camera. With its folded curves, field boundaries, trees and rugged outcrops this view epitomises the essence of Yorkshire’s unique beauty. Right: East of Whitby, Saltwick Bay reveals spectacular geological detail at low tide.

J O E ’ S WO R K I S AS C LOS E TO A RT I ST I C A N D T E C H N I C A L P E R F E C T I O N AS YOU CAN GET.

Back home, the varied landscape of Yorkshire – from Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay to Higger Tor, in the Peak District, is still a constant inspiration.

“It is the biggest county in England and obviously it’s the best. I don’t think anyone disputes that, Yorkshire person or otherwise,” said the 61-year-old. “It’s a very broad piece of geography - from Spurn Point to Settle and including the watershed on the western side of the Pennines.”

He describes the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors as ”jewels in the landscape crown” that, unlike many other picturesque UK tourist destinations, remain relatively crowd-free.

With its subtlety and complexity, the county provides the perfect backdrop to his workshops, which generally attract intermediate photographers.

“If you look hard at Yorkshire it has these hidden depths; it’s literally full of caves and it has, to me, emotional depths as well,” he said. “The complexity of the land, the geology, the overlay of flora, the natural vegetation, with more than 12,000 years of human occupation.”

Its beauty is more than skin deep and photographers have to work that bit harder to capture it.

“The Yorkshire tops can be bleak and that presents quite a challenge for the photographer,” said Cornish. “It’s not all flashing mountain tops as is often the case in Scotland, which I love by the way. Because of that, it’s a great practise ground for any landscape photographer meaning you have to work harder at finding its beauty.

It’s not an obvious, superficial beauty, but having explored and increasingly understood this landscape through the years I have fallen in love with it.”

Despite the county’s industrial past and its impact on the land, nature’s burgeoning fertility is on display everywhere, fuelled by the benign climate.

“Now, especially when there is such concern about the future, I always feel that Yorkshire gives me a lot of hope because each year you go around the countryside and nature still seems to have the upper hand a lot of the time,” said Cornish. The same entrepreneurial spirit which gave rise to Yorkshire’s bygone industrial success is alive and well and was vital when Cornish was setting up his enterprises in Northallerton.

“The county has a ‘get on and do things’ kind of attitude,” he said “This was a place where you felt you could do things and people would react positively and be supportive, which they absolutely are. ”

Left: Ribblehead Viaduct is a remarkable monument of the Victorian era. Batty Moss over which it passes is also decorated with some of the finest examples of limestone pavement in the Dales. Below left: The gritstone towers of Wainstones is a notable landmark on the western edge of the North York Moors. Below right: Rievaulx Abbey is one the finest ruined medieval buildings in Europe.

YORKSHIRE GIVES ME H O P E B E C AU S E N AT U R E ST I L L S E E M S TO H AV E THE UPPER HAND.

The cafe at Register House is the engine room of the gallery and provides a focal point. Visitors from abroad insist they’ve found the best coffee in the UK. Cafe staff bake every day and serve up fresh, local produce, including “amazing cakes” from an artisan specialist baker in Richmond.

Run by a local daughter and mother team, the cafe helps to fund the gallery, which in 2020 will see shows by Mark Littlejohn, Take a View’s Landscape Photographer of the Year 2014, and a talk by the great American landscape photographer Charles Cramer. Musical events featuring young talent are also held in the first floor “long gallery”, with its new wooden floor providing superb acoustics.

There’s a lot going on but the work remains the point. He recalls sound advice given to him in the early days by a veteran photographer: “You look after the work and the money will look after itself. I was out last night with my camera photographing on the hills, with Roseberry there in the distance. There’s so much to celebrate and be proud of if you live in Yorkshire. I’m a bit zealous about it, maybe because I’m an incomer. I feel very grateful to live here.”

Go to www.joecornishgallery.co.uk for opening times.

BEST ASSURED

With the excitement of a whole host of Yorkshire’s much-loved hospitality venues flinging wide their doors and welcoming much-missed guests back again (others are about to open soon), it’s time for a taste of what’s cooking across the county.

During lockdown Welcome to Yorkshire’s online WTY World Cup of Yorkshire has continued to invite votes to celebrate the county’s finest offerings in its online popular polls. First it was Iconic Buildings (step forward The Piece Hall), then Yorkshire’s favourite Natural Landmarks (the mighty Malham Cove), but if all of that exploring world-class venues and lovely locations has worked up an appetite for a spot of delicious dining, then you’re in for a treat. Here’s a tempting teaser of what’s being served, with a roll call of mouth-watering menus on offer, from idyllic inns to Michelin-star city sites...voted for by you. Yes, it’s the WTY World Cup of Yorkshire RESTAURANTS.

Steeped in Halifax history and nestled in the picturesque Calderdale countryside, Shibden Mill Inn was voted the overall winner in the WTY World Cup of Yorkshire restaurants. The multi-award-winning 17th century inn sits beside a babbling brook, the millstream that provided nourishment to the corn and spinning mill’s beginnings. This picture-postcard pub now has eleven beautiful bedrooms (designed and styled for complete relaxation), and serves fabulous food alongside an array of ales and wonderful wines.

At the foot of the stunning Shibden Valley with its steep cobbled approach from one side and winding country lanes from the other, Shibden Mill Inn is just minutes away from the spectacular Shibden Hall, home of the historic heroine Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack) and a short drive away from the impressive Halifax heritage sites, arts and shopping venues The Piece Hall, Dean Clough and also Eureka! The National Children’s Museum.

Shibden Mill Inn serves sensational seasonal dishes using the best fresh locally sourced ingredients that Yorkshire has to offer, combined with produce found ‘inn’ their very own kitchen garden. Throughout the seasons diners can enjoy the bar area or the Mill Room and in the summer months, chill out in the patio garden.

The cosy bar with its ancient beams, thick stone walls and crackling fire, is a welcoming spot for a quick pint or a relaxing evening with a bottle of wine.

From delicious dining to overnight stays, wonderful weddings to exciting events, Huddersfield’s Manor House Lindley does it all in style and was a worthy finalist in the WTY World Cup of Yorkshire restaurants. Delectable dishes are the order of the day at Manor House, with a head chef who crafts menus for each of the hotel’s restaurants with flair and finesse, from breakfast to an evening of fine dining.

Offering several stunning settings, there’s an excellent choice of eateries all under (or on) one roof.

The Lantern Room serves an ever-changing menu to reflect the evolving drama of this dining destination, with its edgy design, traditional elegance and quality ingredients presenting a gorgeous gastronomic joyous journey to enthral and delight

Take time for the Clock Tower Lounge with its glittering chandeliers in a luxurious lounge setting, serving fabulous flutes of champagne and a highly recommended high tea. Get geared up for some glitz and glamour in the evening

The Kitchen Bistro is a relaxed sunny space with a wholesome menu of the freshest seasonal ingredients. Open from breakfast until bedtime, brace yourself for a fabulous feast of super healthy and super naughty delights, from energy boosting smoothies, melt in the mouth pastries and yummy menus throughout the day.

Pop down to Lindley Cellars an atmospheric den with large screens, luxurious booths, a delectable drinks menu and indulge in scrummy sharing boards.

Pop up to the Rooftop Terrace Bar on summer evenings sharing super cool tunes and one or two tipples.

Go global at Manor Lindley with tasting events including Thai, Italian, French, Indian and vegan, as well as an artisan market and a Manor House ‘Feastival’.

Above: Manor House Lindley. Opposite from top: Michael O’Hare. Amazing dishes at The Star Inn Harome. THE SEMI-FINALISTS

Situated between the Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate in Leeds city centre, The Man Behind The Curtain’s awardwinning chef Michael O’Hare opened the restaurant in 2014. The excellent eatery has a reputable reputation for contemporary cuisine, often unusual, with modern and artistic presentation. A Michelin star was awarded in October 2015 and three AA Rosettes a year later.

“The Man Behind The Curtain is more than a restaurant for me. It is where I am able to express myself with flavour and aesthetic. The cuisine is my couture, bold in flavour with inspiration from around the world. Brutalist in design, yet fun,” explains chef Michael O’Hare, who grew up in Redcar, North Yorkshire, gained a pilot’s licence, competed in the BBC’s The Great British Menu in 2015, Masterchef in 2016, and later returned to The Great British Menu as a judge.

A tasting menu only is served at The Man Behind The Curtain, amid a minimalist interior akin to a stylish art gallery, with sculpture and original artwork on display. O’Hare describes the restaurant’s food and ambience as “Not particularly based on what I wanted, but on what I hated and didn’t want.”. Described as a rustic gourmet bolthole, dating back to the fourteenth century, The Star Inn at Harome is a thatched picture-postcard place, situated in a pretty village on the edge of the North York Moors.

Current chef/patron, Andrew Pern, arrived in June 1996 and since then it’s been consistently rated as one of the UK’s top eateries, holding a Michelin star for a generous portion of that time. Essentially an inn with rooms serving modern Yorkshire food made primarily from locally-sourced seasonal ingredients, such as local game, North Sea fish and fresh herbs from its own kitchen garden, The Star Inn at Harome also serves up top wines and beers carefully selected to complement the dining menu. Service is knowledgeable and friendly and there’s a warm welcome.

From a much-celebrated Michelin star to Top UK Gastropub, this dining destination is a firm favourite for hospitality professionals and diners alike. Tempted by its all year round choice of menus, from the table d’hôtestyle fixed locals’ menu to a full à la carte offering, with drink pairing suggestions available by the glass for each dish, there’s also a 10-course tasting menu with a matched package of premium wines.

Daily Specials allow the chefs to take advantage of catch of the day fresh fish, limited availability game and kitchen garden produce, as the seasons allow.

The restaurant has been extended over the years to add the stylish, modern new dining room with its smart banquette seating and cocktail bar, and a view of the gorgeous gardens towards the kitchen garden. There’s also the original thatched inn area with the pub bar, home to a roaring fire on cooler days, as well as a low-ceilinged atmospheric old dining room, plus a coffee loft and a private dining room. The pub bar shows the craftsmanship of the famous Robert Thompson, the ‘Mouse Man’ of Kilburn and the creative cruck construction of the building can be really appreciated from the upstairs coffee loft.

Take a foodie tour and visit Andrew Pern’s other Yorkshire ‘stars’ including in York, the Star Inn the City, and also Mr P’s Curious Tavern, then head to the coast to the historic seaside town of Whitby and enjoy seasonal seafood with sea views at the Star Inn The Harbour … but start your journey at the ‘star semi-finalist’ in the WTY World Cup of Restaurants, The Star at Harome.

Check restaurant websites for more information and opening dates/times.

Restaurants Final 32

JÖRO

Sheffield RAFTERS Sheffield CLAM & CORK

Doncaster T H E HARE INN

Scawton

HOST Ilkley ESTBEK HOUSE Whitby THE STAR INN

Harome THE SANDPIPER

Leyburn

BLACK SWAN

Oldstead THE OLD VICARAGE

Sheffield B U T L E R WHITES

Hull IRIS

Wakefield

THE ANGEL

Hetton THE PIPE & GLASS

South Dalton SHIBDEN MILL INN Shibden THE WESTWOOD

Beverley

CRAB & LOBSTER Asenby THE BLUE LION

East Witton LANTERNA Scarborough LE COCHON AVEUGLE

York

PRASHAD Bradford MANOR HOUSE Lindley SKOSH York THE BOX TREE

Ilkley

HOME Leeds THE MAGPIE

Whitby ELDER Halifax THE WHITE RABBIT

Todmordon

M AT T H E A LY X THE FOUNDRY

Leeds MAN B E H I N D THE CURTAIN

Leeds D E VO U R AT T H E DYEHOUSE

Holmfirth T H E YO R K E ARMS

Ramsgill