Nina Matsunaga

Situated in Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales, The Black Bull is helmed by couple, James Ratcliffe, who oversees front-of-house and chef Nina Matsunaga, whose inventive, seasonal cooking reflects a thoughtful blend of her Japanese and German heritage. In 2014, the pair moved to Sedbergh to open The Three Hares, a venture that quickly earned critical praise. Since then, Matsunaga has garnered multiple AA Rosettes, a place in the UK Top 50 Gastropubs, and an array of industry accolades at the helm of the Black Bull Inn. She is the current Be Inclusive Hospitality Chef of the Year 2025 and has previously showcased her skills on the BBC’s Great British Menu. Her latest project, Tsuchi, a fine-dining restaurant nestled within the acclaimed Black Bull, brings her philosophy into sharp focus. Here, she pairs her Japanese sensibility with the finest British produce, crafting dishes that are balanced, imaginative, and deeply attuned to the seasons. The food she crafts for The Black Bull is a bit more of a relaxed affair, using seasonal, British ingredients to create a more honest menu – albeit with the same emphasis on quality and flavour.