Top 50 Gastropubs

John Calton

We make the most of what's around us

Biography

John Calton took home Gastropub Chef of the Year at the Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropubs 2016 after entering the list for the first time at number 31.

He was also a finalist on Masterchef: The Professionals in 2010 and it was always his long-term goal to have a restaurant.

John has always been fiercely passionate about game and fish having worked with Andrew Pern of the Star Inn and Simon Gueller at the Box Tree in Yorkshire, and has continued to work with some of the same suppliers to ensure high-quality produce on the menu at the Staith House.

After MasterChef, John travelled to France and worked with Simon Scott before returning to the UK, working as an executive head chef at the Duke of Wellington in Newton, Northumberland before moving onto another pub.

John took the plunge in 2014 opening the Staith House as chef-patron.

Key dishes

  • Rare-breed pork and locally supplied beef and lamb
  • Pork and onion scotch egg

Worked with

  • Stephen Harris
  • Andrew Pern
  • Simon Gueller