Chef-Dan-Duggan

Dan Duggan has taken up the positon of head chef at Malhotra Group plc's Sandpiper gastro pub in Cullercoats.

The 24-year-old was formerly head chef at Newcastle's Blackfriars restaurant.

He said: "In many ways the Sandpiper is very different from the fine dining venues I have worked at previously, but in many other ways it is similar.

The reason Sandpiper has such a dedicated foodie following is that it offers well cooked, homemade dishes that reflect local and seasonal ingredients."

Atul Malhotra, the group's director of operations, said: "We are delighted to welcome someone with such a wealth of experience and talent to our team. Dan has the experience and the enterprise to really build on the Sandpiper’s reputation and the innovation and energy to inspire his kitchen team to achieve great things.”