Oliver Roberts and the Rise of Norman’s Kitchen, Kirkburton

This week on Beyond the Postcode, Caroline Verdon from Under The Mast and Erin Towey from HD8 Life head to Kirkburton to catch up with Oliver Roberts – the man behind much-loved, award-winning hotspot Norman’s Kitchen. Oliver chats about swapping Halifax for village life, finding his feet in a tight-knit community, and the surprisingly tricky job of naming the place in the first place.

He looks back on the early days of Norman’s, the team that helped shape it, and those proper pinch-me moments – including cooking for the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Stephen Graham. There’s also talk of Michelin Guide nods, AA rosettes, and what it really takes to build a destination restaurant in a small Yorkshire village.

Add in a few behind-the-scenes stories and Oliver’s top tip for anyone heading to the area, and you’ve got a warm, local chat that’s all about graft, good food, and community spirit.

00:00 Welcome to Beyond the Postcode

00:22 Meet Oliver Roberts of Norman's Kitchen

00:35 The Journey to Finding the Perfect Location

02:17 Naming the Restaurant: A Funny Story

04:00 Settling into the Community

04:29 Opening Night and Community Support

09:39 From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Business

12:16 Accolades and Recognition

15:36 Balancing Michelin Guide and AA Rosettes

16:12 Creative Culinary Experiments

17:51 Unexpected Celebrity Guests

18:45 Bruce Springsteen and Stephen Graham's Visit

28:32 HD8 Top Tips and Playlist

30:57 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser