AN AWARD-winning chef has seen his dreams come true as he opens his own Lake District restaurant.

Ryan Blackburn, 33, has taken over the historic Old Stamp House in Ambleside with the help of his brother Craig, who will work as front-of-house.

The Cark-in-Cartmel chef formerly worked at Michelin-starred Holbeck Ghyll, Windermere, The Cottage in the Wood at Whinlatter and was named Cumbria Life’s Chef of the Year 2013 and one of the UK’s rising culinary stars by the Square Meal restaurant guide.

But having somewhere to put his ‘stamp’ on was always the top goal. “It was always my aim, and I have been looking for the right place for a long time,” said Ryan.

“Because of the history and location of The Old Stamp House building it just seemed perfect to fit with what I had planned.”

And cooking is a career which was always in the blood for Ryan. He said: “My mum and dad had the Blacksmith Arms at Broughton Mills, and my granddad was a chef and owned Stickle Barn at Great Langdale, so I am a third generation chef and restaurant owner.”

Ryan will be serving ‘ultra-local’ cooking at the former William Wordsworth workplace, and has joined with nearby suppliers such as Jon Watson at Yew Tree Farm near Coniston, John Stott at Cartmel Valley Game and Richard Scrivener at Rare Breed Goats in Wasdale.

He is also a Taste Cumbria ambassador for fish and shellfish, and this will be reflected in his food and menus, with fish sourced from Richard Donnan in Whitehaven. Dishes on the menu include Cartmel Valley wood pigeon, organic spelt, chantrelles and lichen, open lasagne of celeriac, wild mushrooms and spinach, and gingerbread parfait with forced rhubarb.

“Using fantastic ingredients from my doorstep and modern kitchen techniques, my aim is to give the diner a sense of season and location through the food on their plate,” said Ryan.

“And I like to get to know my suppliers and let them guide me to what is in season. I do not just leave a message with them saying to send me something or other, I speak to them to make sure I get what is best.”

For more information contact the restaurant on 015394 32775 or visit www.oldstamphouse.com