W L
OBSESSION 2017 by Carl Housbey
The last few weeks for me have been amazing , as I ’ ve been lucky enough to have eaten fantastic food expertly prepared by multi Michelin starred Chefs from the UK , Italy , Portugal , Slovenia , China , and Japan . However , the most amazing thing is that I did all this without travelling any further than Lancashire .
How on earth did you manage that ? I hear you ask .
The answer is very simple , I was at Northcote in Langho for their annual gastronomic festival called Obsession , which this year ran for 17 nights and showcased the talents of 23 different world renowned chefs .
Obsession first started in 2001 when Chef Patron Nigel Haworth decided to create his own version of a food festival that he ’ d cooked at in California a couple of years earlier . Obsession 1 as I now call it , was held over 4 nights , and was so well received that it was decided to hold it again the following year for the whole week .
This annual festival has grown every year , and has become the must do event in any true foodie ’ s calendar , as not only do you get the chance to eat dishes from restaurants that have waiting lists many months long , but you also get to meet the Chefs themselves .
So far there have been 137 different chefs at Obsession , and the list reads like a who ’ s who of culinary legends , with the likes of Heston Blumenthal , Raymond Blanc , Pierre Koffmann , and Michel Roux Jnr to name just four .
This year ’ s line-up was no exception , and included rising star Michael O ’ Hare , almost as well known for his hair as his food . Then we had James Close the only new 2 Michelin Star Chef in the UK for 2017 , or how about Isaac McHale from Clove Club recently awarded No . 1 restaurant in UK by The Sunday Times , or Ana Roš the World ’ s Best Female Chef 2017 .
I could go on but I ’ m sure you get the idea by now that I was in for some fantastic food . The only problem is it ’ s impossible to tell you about my eight nights of culinary delight and stay within the limits of my monthly column , so I ’ m making use of that well known phrase “ A picture paints a thousand words ”
I have chosen one photograph from each of my nights that I think best represents the skill and artistry of the Chefs , and I am sure you will agree that photographer Allen Markey has provided me with excellent images which will hopefully make your mouth water .
By now you will be eager to book for 2018 , but let me tell you that reservations sell out almost as quickly as Glastonbury Festival tickets , however if you ’ re not a fan of mud , and prefer a proper bathroom then get yourself to Northcote where you will find their extremely comfortable , well-appointed rooms fit the bill perfectly .
Tickets for Obsession 18 will go on sale in November , but don ’ t wait until then as Northcote is a great place to stay all year round , so get booking via www . northcote . com or 01254 240555 .
To stay up to date with my adventures : follow @ carlhousbey
36 wirrallife . com