Brayden Davies promoted to chef patron at the Box Tree in Ilkley

Brayden Davies has been promoted to chef patron at the Box Tree in Ilkley. The announcement comes as the restaurant prepares to reopen its doors this week (9 September) following a major refurbishment. Davies first joined the Box Tree as head chef in 2024, where he has been showcasing his Australian heritage and modern European culinary training ever since. Prior to that, he worked at the likes of the Raby Hunt in Country Durham, Northcote in Lancashire and Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall in North Yorkshire. As chef patron of the Box Tree, Davies will continue to lead the kitchen while also overseeing the longer-term direction of the restaurant, considering he is now part of the ownership. He said: 'I am not only excited about this next step as a chef, but also as a restaurateur. The Box Tree has an incredible history, and to now be part of shaping its future is something I'm immensely proud of. 'Since joining the restaurant, I've been able to develop a style of cooking that feels personal to me, drawing on my Australian roots, the experiences I've had throughout my career and the brilliant produce we have access to here in Yorkshire and further afield. 'This next chapter gives us the opportunity to keep evolving, both in the kitchen and across the restaurant as a whole. We have a fantastic team around us, and I'm really looking forward to welcoming guests back through the doors and showing them what we've been working on.' The Box Tree resides in a Yorkshire stone farmhouse dating back to 1720 that has become a fine dining institution since 1962. In 1977, the restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars and has welcomed chefs Michael Truelove, Edward Denny and Marco Pierre White over the years.