Richard

Hayley Gibson hhhhh'French' Richard

about us

With the support of their family and wonderful staff, Richard and Hayley Gibson have created the stroom restaurant and function rooms, a modern restaurant situated in the heart of Pudsey, West Yorkshire. The stroom offers high quality food in a relaxed, contemporary environment with an efficient and welcoming service.

Housed in Pudsey’s eighteenth century Conservative Club Building, the brother and sister partnership have worked hard to create a comfortable restaurant full of charm, with features including an original marble mosaic floor.

We are proud of our reputation as a unique venue serving the best in modern cuisine. The menus are a comfortable mix of traditional British & French food with a European style.

If the a l carte experience were not enough, the stroom also has two beautiful function rooms, ‘the queens room’ and ‘cellar bar’ which are available for weddings, corporate events and parties. The queen’s room is also used to seat Sunday lunches and a table d’hote menu with disco on Friday and Saturday evenings

The restaurant takes its name from the Afrikaans word for a mammal’s feeding and watering hole - a baboon stroom and has been part of Richard’s dream for over 15 years.

the team

Richard is Chef Patron and general manager whilst Hayley is "Front of House". Both are renowned for being “grafters in the trade”! Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire they grew up part of a catering family with their parents running the always popular Tudor restaurant in Pudsey until 2002.

Richard discovered a fascination of cooking when he was a child, of course, by offering a helping hand to his dad. But it was in 1995 aged 23 when his career took off with a job in the Whit Sunday Islands, Australia, famous for its superb fresh fish. After posts in Asia, Australia and England, Richard settled back into Yorkshire life. Richard’s style of cooking is simple and honest. He is supported, always, by his wife Natalie.

Joining Richard in the kitchen is Head Chef Richard Guitton. Born in the Loire Valley, France. Richard has worked across Europe in both small and large restaurants. He came to England in 1988 and settled in Yorkshire. He won an AA Rosette whilst working at the Millburn Arms Hotel near Pickering where he worked alongside Michelin Star chef Andrew Pern, of the Star Inn, Harome.

Our own baker, Phillip Gough is also a valuable member of the team making all homemade bread and desserts daily.

Hayley works hard to ensure all our guests enjoy their experience at the stroom.