Nina Matsunaga

Head Chef, Nina Matsunaga, co-owner of the Black Bull, Sedbergh, in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is producing food that makes you sit up and take notice. Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, to Japanese parents, her food is characterised by these two very distinct cultures. Aged 18, Nina made the move to London to study Culinary Arts Management, quickly followed by a master’s degree in Food Policy. By the age of 22, she was back in Germany, helping in a friend’s bakery and heading up a leading cookery school delivering courses in baking and game cooking. She made a trip back to the UK, to Manchester, where she discovered a burgeoning street food scene, which fascinated her and where, incidentally, she met her partner, James. The pair hit it off, Nina made the move to the UK, and the rest is history.

Nina has a simple food ethos, and that is to use only the best seasonal ingredients available from what they refer to as the neck of Britain, the counties of Yorkshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland, Durham, Derbyshire, and Cheshire. She prefers to use animals that are reared traditionally on small farms from across the Lune Valley, including Herefords, local sheep breeds like Rough Fells and Herdwicks, pigs like Yorkshire Middle Whites, game in the form of wild venison, rabbit, and grouse. As well as sustainably sourced fish from the North Sea and local freshwater fish, including trout, salmon, and even pike, and then there’s the abundant seasonal woodland and hedgerow larder, which provides a whole host of forageable ingredients, including garlic mustard and mushrooms in all shapes and sizes.

During Nina’s tenure, the Black Bull has won numerous accolades, including being recognised in the Good Hotel Guide Editor’s Choice Awards 2025 as the Best Hotel for Foodies. Nina’s signature nose-to-tail approach was highlighted in the Green Pub Guide, celebrating her commitment to ethical sourcing and waste reduction, and she recently collected the Be Inclusive Hospitality Chef of the Year Award 2025.

Come and enjoy celebrate a wonderful spring menu at The Bistro at Underscar- 6:30pm Arrival and 7:00pm Dining.

Tickets – £ per person

Please note down any dietaries on booking which will be discussed with the organiser.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to meet Jack, learn from his expertise and experience a culinary whirlwind!

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