Obsession 2024: 19 chefs cooking at Langho’s Northcote

A total of 19 chefs, who have 24 Michelin stars between them, are set to take part in Obsession at Northcote, which takes place from January 19 to February 4.

Television chef Michel Roux, who appeared as a judge on Masterchef, will be at the event’s grand finale.

Organised by executive chef Lisa Goodwin-Allen and the Northcote team, the internationally renowned, multi-award-winning event has built a reputation as one of the most significant gourmet festivals in Europe.

Lisa Goodwin-Allen (Image: Lisa Goodwin-Allen)

Each chef will cook their unique Obsession menus for food and wine enthusiasts in the region who are keen to have an exclusive, memorable dining experience created by some of the world’s most innovative chefs, with dishes that may be unavailable anywhere else.  

For 22 years, Obsession has been a key calendar moment in the UK’s gastronomy scene. It launched in 2001 as a celebration of good food and wine and over the years has featured hundreds of Michelin star chefs.

The event is also used to raise money for Hospitality Action, a charity for those in the hospitality industry. Last year more that £70,000 was raised for the charity.

Lisa Goodwin-Allen, executive chef of Northcote and director of The Game Bird and American Bar at The Stafford, London said: “Each year we approach Obsession with a view of ‘how can we equal last year’s event’ and it always seems like an impossible task.

“But I have to say I’m extremely excited for this year’s line-up. We have a range of styles of cooking - diverse, traditional, progressive, highly technical - and it’s packed with personality.  

“The fact that each year is a sell out just shows there is still an appetite for fine dining and an exclusive experience. And let’s not forget the money raised for charity, last year broke the record yet again, with more than £70,000 raised for Hospitality Action, which will be our beneficiary again this year.” 

Michele and Emily Roux (Image: Northcote)

Talking of why he wanted to be part of the festival, Adam Smith of Woven by Adam Smith said: “After following Northcote, Lisa and Obsession for a large part of my career it’s a real privilege to be involved in Obsession in 2024. Many of my culinary idols have taken part in the past and I feel extremely proud to be able to follow in their footsteps.”

Chef Alex Greene said: “Obsession has always been an event I wanted to be a part of and to be invited by Lisa and the team at Northcote to the 2024 event is a complete honour. It’s honestly a bit of a dream come true. I’m super excited for January and I’m really looking forward to working alongside Lisa and her team." 

The 2023 line-up: 

• Friday, January 19: Lisa Goodwin Allen, Northcote, Ribble Valley (1 star) 

• Saturday, January 20: Alex Greene, Deanes EIPIC, Belfast (1 star) 
• Sunday, January 21: Gareth Ward, Ynyshir, Wales (2 star) 
• Monday, January 22: Tom Barnes, L’Enclume (3 star) 
• Tuesday, January 23: Sarah Hayward, The Coach, Buckinghamshire (1 star) 
• Wednesday, January 24: Adam Smith, Woven by Adam Smith, Coworth Park, Berkshire (1 star) 

• Thursday, January 25: Alex Tsiotinis, CTC, Athens (1 star) 
• Friday, January 26: Adam Handling, Frog by Adam Handling, London (1 star) 
• Saturday, January 27: Lorna McNee, Cail Bruich, Glasgow, (1 star) 
• Sunday, January 28: James Knappett, Kitchen Table, London (2 star) 
• Monday, January 29: Tom Shepherd, Upstairs by Tom Shepherd, Staffordshire (1 star) 

• Tuesday, January 30: Aktar Islam, Opheem, Birmingham (1 star) 
• Wednesday, January 31: Daniele Lippi, Acqolina, Rome (2 star) 
• Thursday, February 1: Adam Byatt & Harry Kirkpatrick, Trinity, (1 star) 
• Friday, February 2: Riccardo Canella, ORO, Hotel Cipriani, Venice (1 star) 
• Saturday, February 3: Henrique Sá Pessoa, ALMA, Lisbon (2 star)  

The grand finale  

• Sunday, February 4: Michel Roux, La Gavroche/Ches Roux Ltd, London (2 star) & Emily Roux, Caractere, London