Yorkshire’s award-winning farm shop strengthens its commitment to provenance and gastronomic excellence with high-profile appointment.
Blacker Hall Farm, a prominent Yorkshire food destination, has announced the appointment of acclaimed chef Stephanie Moon to its culinary team. Moon’s remit will primarily focus on The Barn Kitchen restaurant, alongside providing support for the farm’s event catering and burgeoning food-to-go selections. This strategic move underscores Blacker Hall Farm’s continued investment in high-quality, provenance-led food experiences, a growing trend within the UK’s thriving farm retail sector.
Stephanie Moon brings over three decades of extensive experience from professional kitchens across the globe. Her distinguished career includes tenures at prestigious establishments such as The Dorchester in London, Rudding Park Hotel in Harrogate, and five-star hotels in Australia, Germany, and Switzerland. Having previously collaborated with Blacker Hall Farm on a project basis, Moon is a recognised figure in the Yorkshire food scene and a vocal champion of local produce. Her public profile has been further elevated through appearances on popular television programmes, including BBC Two’s The Great British Menu, BBC One’s Chef’s Programme (also known as Chefs: Put Your Menu Where Your Mouth Is), and Channel 5’s Street Market Chefs.
The appointment comes at a time when farm shops are increasingly recognised as significant players in the UK’s food economy. Recent research indicates that Britain’s farm shops collectively generate an impressive £1.4 billion in annual sales and employ approximately 25,000 individuals. Customer attraction is driven by the perceived quality of products, superior customer service, and the authentic farm setting, with a growing consumer interest in food provenance. Many farm shops, including Blacker Hall Farm, are diversifying to become comprehensive visitor destinations, incorporating dining, events, and family experiences.
Speaking of her new role, Stephanie Moon stated: “I’ve always believed that good food starts with understanding your ingredients and respecting the people who produce them. Blacker Hall Farm has that knowledge throughout the business, from the farm and butchery to the kitchen. It’s a pleasure to be working with Blacker Hall Farm again to support a team that shares those values.”
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Edward Garthwaite, owner and managing director of Blacker Hall Farm, highlighted the alignment of Moon’s philosophy with the farm’s core principles. “Stephanie brings a depth of knowledge that reflects how we approach food at Blacker Hall Farm. Working alongside our talented restaurant team, she’ll continue to develop menus that make the most of produce from our farm and trusted local suppliers. Our close relationship between the farm, butchery, bakery and The Barn Kitchen means we can create dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients with complete confidence in their quality and provenance. The Barn Kitchen is an important part of the wider Blacker Hall Farm experience, and Stephanie’s appointment further strengthens our team. She supports our commitment to serving food that customers can enjoy with confidence, knowing exactly where it has come from and how it has been prepared.”
Blacker Hall Farm boasts a rich heritage, with the Garthwaite family having farmed the land since 1901. What began as a farming enterprise evolved significantly in 1999 with the opening of the farm shop, driven by an ambition to sell home-reared meat directly to consumers. Today, the multi-generational business is an award-winning destination, consistently recognised for its quality produce and culinary offerings. The farm has received numerous accolades, including being named the UK’s Best Farm Shop by FARMA in 2014 and gaining recognition from Yorkshire Life Magazine. Its butchery department alone has secured multiple Gold Awards in the prestigious Q Guild of Butchers’ Smithfield Awards in recent years, alongside over 60 individual product awards and 10 Great Taste Awards. Over 75% of the products sold are produced or prepared on-site, showcasing a deep commitment to local sourcing and craftsmanship.
The addition of a chef of Moon’s calibre is set to further solidify Blacker Hall Farm’s reputation, enhancing its position as a leading regional food destination and capitalising on the growing consumer demand for quality, transparency, and expertly prepared local produce. The influence of celebrity chefs, like Moon, can significantly boost a business’s profile and inspire heightened customer interest in culinary experiences.
