The Yan at Broadrayne has unveiled a fresh face as former sous chef Sam Thomas has stepped up to become head chef.
Sam, 30, has been part of The Yan family since 2020, working his way up the ranks to launch a flavour-packed summer menu mixing The Yan’s signature 'laid-back fun with elevated comfort'.
He said: “I’ve already learned so much from The Yan - the tone, how we cook, how we run the kitchen, and now I’ve been trusted to carry that forward and add my own twist.
"It’s a brilliant feeling and I’m excited to lead such a talented, supportive team.”
Operations director, Georgina Keighley-King, said the appointment felt like a natural step. “Sam has earned this. He’s grown with us, developing the brand, and his passion for the food, the people, and The Yan itself, shines through every day.”
Sam’s new summer dishes bring a fresh energy to The Yan’s menu alongside famous ‘here to stay’ classics like the rich, slow-cooked Shepherd’s Pie and indulgent Sunday Roast sharers.
Highlights include:
- Wingin’ It – Crispy Cumbrian chicken wings smothered in Yan buffalo sauce, with tomato & red onion salsa, topped with crumbled Gorgonzola.
- Salmon Croquettes – Yan House-smoked salmon folded through creamy béchamel with horseradish and chives. Served with beetroot pesto & garden-fresh pickled cucumber.
- Chowder – Creamy white wine and samphire chowder with queenie scallops, crayfish, sweetcorn, and leeks. Finished with baked coley & succulent English asparagus.
Speaking about crafting the new summer menu, Sam said: “I love that there’s space to be creative here. The team genuinely listens. Whether it’s feedback from guests or new ideas from the kitchen, we get to evolve together, and that makes all the difference.”
Sam also champions The Yan’s commitment to low-waste, sustainable cooking. “It’s not just good for the planet, it’s good for flavour,” he said.
“You treat ingredients differently when you know their value, and when you’re surrounded by countryside like this, it just makes sense.”
The Yan’s new summer menu is live now. To book or find out more, head to www.theyan.co.uk.
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