KITCHEN design expert Stuart Frazer launched a new showroom in the Ribble Valley with a two-night gala and cooking masterclass by celebrity chef Nigel Haworth.

More than 120 guests packed into new complex in the former loading and storage bay at the old Friendship Mill, in Read, which has undergone a £150,000 renovation.

The new store has created 20 jobs including two designers and a design assistant.

The firm, which is the UK’s largest dealer of German SieMatic kitchens, threw the bash for customers, designers, architects, property developers and VIPs including former world superbike champion Carl Fogarty, who has a kitchen designed by managing director Mark Harrison.

Guests tucked into an array of classic canapes, including mini Yorkshire puds with rare roast beef, served up by Northcote.

Stuart Frazer has a long association with Northcote, working with the top Langho restaurant to develop the recently-launched Northcote Cookery School kitchen and chef’s table, and its development kitchen.

Mr Haworth said: “Stuart Frazer helped us produce the best possible facility - a SieMatic kitchen with

Gaggenau appliances.

"Its cutting-edge design, appliances and equipment have given Michael, head chef Lisa Allen and myself the perfect platform to teach cookery to Northcote Manor’s excellent standards. It was a pleasure to be a part of the Ribble Valley showroom launch and show guests how satisfying it is to cook in a brilliantly-designed kitchen.”

Mr Harrison, who designed the new showroom, said: “"The Ribble Valley showroom is amazing and displays some of the most beautiful and advanced kitchen designs available in the UK. For me, I’m proud to have breathed life into an old mill building, created new jobs and achieved our aim of bringing Stuart Frazer to East Lancashire.”

He added: "This was the first of many gala events that we will hold with Northcote Manor and Nigel and his team, and it was enjoyed by everyone."

The firm already has showrooms in Manchester and Preston, selling around 150 kitchens a year with price tags ranging from £15,000 to more than £50,000.