Staff
"Very friendly and helpful staff. Lovely linen, very comfortable beds for bad backs. Brilliant chef - hang on to him!" [We have! VB]
From Michael and Sarah, West Midlands
The biggest difference between us and any other hotel is our staff, who are our best asset. Anyone visiting The White Swan Inn will find a happy, friendly team, truly dedicated to looking after you - the customer. I recommend the following team to you
"Engine Room" (The Kitchen)
Head Chef: Darren Clemmit
Age: 32
Trained: Scarborough Catering College, and The White Swan Inn
Joined Us: 1989 as Kitchen Junior
Darren is the most unflappable chef in Christendom. His calming nature helps keep the food consistently excellent. He wants you to really enjoy his food and everything on the menu is freshly-made from the best ingredients, and to a high standard. Darren's goal is to achieve a Michelin "Bib Gourmand" for The White Swan Inn. Darren lives in Pickering and is a Leeds United supporter with his 8 year old son.
Second Chef: Carl Rushworth
Age: 26
Trained: Scarborough Catering College, and The White Swan Inn
Joined Us: 1995 as Kitchen Junior
Carl likes cooking almost as much as playing rugby. He pays flanker for Malton RFC and regularly works a busy Saturday night shift only an hour after leaving the pitch - and after a good soak! Carl is interested in serious food with relevant presentation. He is master of the risotto - but not the alarm clock!
Third Chef: Tom Marley
Age: 24
Training: Scarborough Catering College, George & Dragon at Kirbymoorside, and The White Swan
Joined Us: 1999
Tom is an extremely talented chef in both the kitchen at The White Swan Inn and at home, he regularly spoils his girlfriend, Kirsty with delicious T.V. dinners. In his spare time he is a keen footballer too, playing for a local league, and when he is not on the pitch playing he is relaxing with a pint watching it!
We have two trainee chefs, Wez and Cassie who are being trained on the job. They are both local Pickering boys and seem to have their fingers on the pulse of the latest trends and where the prettiest girls hang out. Luckily for them some of them are at work!
Kitchen Porter: John
Age:
Joined Us:
John is reliable and committed to The White Swan Inn to the point of recruiting his son to help out during busy evenings. A keen and talented gardener John often brings home grown vegetables into the kitchen and hopes to plant a decent amount when the garden at the rear of the new rooms is landscaped.
Groundsman and Maintenance: Frank Morgan
Age: Depends on the weather
Training: Forces
Joined Us:
Frank is the oldest member of the team, and probably the most experienced, who started out in The White Swan Inn's kitchen. After a career in the Forces he became one of the best Maitre D'H's in the business, but now prefers to look after the grounds. His knowledge of proper hotel service is invaluable and he keeps us right. Frank plays the bagpipes, and his birthday is on New Year's Day.
Front of House
General Manager: Tim Fisher
Age: 30
Training: Tim is a graduate of the university of Humberside where he gained a BA (Hons) degree in Administrative Management. After travelling around the world for a few months he started his career in catering by chance after joining the Forest and Vale Hotel, here is Pickering as an assistant manager. He then joined us back in 2000 as General Manager, he enjoys running the busy and thriving hotel that is continually growing and moving forward.
Joined Us: 2000
Assistant Manager: Angela Baker
Age: 30
Training: Mallyan Spout Hotel (10 years)
Started out as a waitress and worked her way to become a duty manager.
"There are beams in the bar and beams at reception where Angela Nixon dispenses 100w smiles to all corners."
As quoted by Vincent Crump, Sunday Times.
Joined Us: 2002
Assistant Manager: Alex Aris
Age: 22
Training: The White Swan Inn
Joined Us: March 2003
Lisa Fraser
Age: 23
Training:
Joined Us: February 1997
Lisa originally joined us as a shy and retiring 14 year old waitress and took to the business like a duck to water. She went on to study at Birmingham University and has enjoyed stints working in America. Luckily her boyfriend runs a local business and when we heard she was back in the area we couldn't let her go and work anywhere else.
Receptionist: Rosie Till
Age: 17
Training: School, work experience and The White Swan Inn
Joined Us: September 2005
Rosie joined us a short while ago after working at her father's solicitors. She is the baby of the full time staff team but her enthusiasm and determination is infectious! She is talented horsewoman and hunts as often as she can.
Morning Help: Gill Fields
Age: See Gill
Gill is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of our newly refurbished hotel and does a great job. She is potty about the local agricultural shows and never misses one. For advice on prize leeks or best of breed champion, speak to Gill.
Head Housekeeper: Sue McGuigan
Age:30
Sue is back for more! She originally worked for us over six years ago but we have tempted her back and she does a fantastic job of managing a dedicated team of housekeeping staff. They all help her maintain both the main hotel and the new rooms to a five star standard. She is a mum and manages the juggling act of a demanding job and a demanding son with total ease!
There are of course many more staff at The White Swan Inn but sadly too many to mention individually. Everyone who works here is specially chosen for their friendly smiles and their willingness to provide great service whether it is in the bar, kitchen or corridor! It is a source of great pride to all of the Buchanan Family that the team at the Inn is enthusiastic and dedicated. It is also wonderful to see them socialising and caring about each other in and out of work.