Lake District couple open successful new restaurant in Hawkshead

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 06:58 · Archive

Harriet and Ben opened Petit Four in Hawkshead in March after meeting while working in hospitality.

Harriet and Ben opened Petit Four on The Square in Hawkshead earlier this year after spending years working together across the country. The pair first met five years ago while working at the Dunes Hotel in Barrow, where Ben had arrived as acting head chef and Harriet was interim general manager. After discovering they shared a similar approach to their work, they spent the following years working as freelancers before eventually settling in the Lake District.

Hariet began her career in kitchens before deciding she preferred working front of house, and has predominantly worked in luxury hotels and fine dining restaurants across the Lake District. Ben started his career in Yorkshire, working in high-end gastropubs around York before moving into catering for luxury outdoor weddings. His initial arrival in the Lake District was meant to last just two weeks, before he agreed to stay for six months.

Petit Four opened for breakfast and lunch in mid-March, before evening service was introduced two weeks later. The couple initially offered breakfast, lunch and dinner while they established what worked best for the business. However, evening service proved so popular that they decided to concentrate their attention on it, particularly with renovation work scheduled for the outside of the property.

Hariet said: 'Much to our relief we had a lot of support from the local businesses in the area recommending guests come and give us a try. Despite being the most nerve-wracking thing either of us have done, it was such a warm welcome into the village and we were both very grateful.'

How it is being reported

• The three dishes diners never want taken off the menu at Lake District restaurantA couple who met while working in hospitality have reflected on the successful first months of running their own restaurant in the Lake District.NW Evening Mail · 10 Nov, 06:00
• The three dishes diners never want taken off the menu at Lake District restaurantA couple who met while working in hospitality have reflected on the successful first months of running their own restaurant in the Lake District.Whitehaven News · 10 Nov, 06:00
• The three dishes diners never want taken off the menu at Lake District restaurantA couple who met while working in hospitality have reflected on the successful first months of running their own restaurant in the Lake District.Westmorland Gazette · 10 Nov, 06:00
• The three dishes diners never want taken off the menu at Lake District restaurantA couple who met while working in hospitality have reflected on the successful first months of running their own restaurant in the Lake District.News & Star · 10 Nov, 06:00

In this story: Harriet · Ben · Petit Four · Hawkshead · Lake District · Dunes Hotel · Barrow · Yorkshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log