New Taste Lancashire Ambassador in line for national awards
Marketing Lancashire, the organisation leading the Lancashire LVEP (Local Visitor Economy Partnership) and driving tourism activity for the county, is delighted to announce Doug Crampton, Chef Patron of Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, as its newest Taste Lancashire Ambassador.
The Taste Lancashire Ambassadors are incredible chefs from Lancashire’s Michelin star venues, award-winning gastro pubs and restaurants. Each is celebrated for excellence in their field and now offer their support to help raise the profile of Lancashire’s food and drink, to attract more visitors and secure greater national and international recognition for the county.
Doug Crampton partnered with Emma Robinson and Ian O’Reilly, current custodians of the Robinson family farm and Gazegill Organics in Rimmington, to launch their new ‘farm to fork’ restaurant, realising a 20-year dream to bring their organic produce directly to the table, with zero miles and in the most sustainable environment.
Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton opened in 2024 and in the last two years has built a reputation for culinary excellence and accessible and inclusive dining.
“Guests can have a fine-dining menu on a Friday and Saturday night, but it’s the same chefs, with the same cooking skills, using the same quality ingredients producing brunch or the small plates for a relaxed lunch” explains Doug “We wanted a venue for everyone, where you can visit as a family, that’s child friendly, surrounded by animals and beautiful Lancashire countryside, that values local produce and has genuine stand-out.
“I’m really thrilled to be invited to be a Taste Lancashire Ambassador, to help grow the county’s reputation as a destination for food-lovers and for those who value the authenticity and sustainability of local producers.”
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In February 2026 Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton was awarded a Green Michelin Star and just a few days later won two awards at the Lancashire Tourism Awards: The Taste Lancashire Award and the award for Regenerative Tourism. These two wins at regional level allowed Eight at Gazegill to progress to the national Visit England Awards for Excellence. Visit England shortlisted them again as finalists in both categories and will announce who has won gold, silver or bronze at their awards ceremony at Aerospace Bristol on 3 June.
The Visit England finalists in each of the two categories are:
Taste of England Award
Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Lancashire
Blackfriars, Newcastle
Carriages Restaurant, Herefordshire
Regenerative Tourism Award
Eight at Gazegill by Doug Crampton, Lancashire
Gladwins Farm – Self Catering Holiday Cottages, Suffolk
Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham
Vikki Harris, Marketing and Partnership Director of Marketing Lancashire adds “We are extremely proud of what Doug and the team at Eight at Gazegill have achieved and of the vision that Emma and Ian turned into reality, of a true ‘farm to fork’ dining destination, on their organic Lancashire farm. In just two years they have proved that customers want to know that the food on their plate is organically and sustainably grown, as well as cooked with great skill and respect for the produce.”
“We are delighted that Doug has joined our group of esteemed Taste Lancashire Ambassadors and look forward to celebrating Gazegill’s gold, silver or bronze awards at the Visit England Awards for Excellence ceremony next week.”
Click here to find out more about the Taste Lancashire Ambassadors