Craig Blackburn, Old Stamp House

Craig Blackburn, Old Stamp House, is a finalist in the Service of the Year category. 

When Ryan Blackburn’s Michelin-starred cooking is combined with his brother, Craig’s, front-of-house skills, the result is so much more than the sum of their parts.

Craig and Ryan, who have been together since the launch of their restaurant, are described by the AA as a “keen and ambitious team”.

Restaurant manager Craig heads up what the hospitality organisation calls “efficiently informal” service, with dishes explained as they arrive at the table.

It’s all helped to create one of Cumbria’s dining destinations.