Mark Tempest, 34, has been cooking up a storm since he was head-hunted to work at the Star Inn in Mitford Street by landlady Lynn Barr.

Mr Tempest, of Blackburn, Lancashire, has 18 years’ experience in the trade and previously worked as a training co-ordinator for Gondola, the company which owns the Pizza Express, ASK and Zizzi chains of restaurants.

He said: “There is going to be a change in the style of food because everywhere seems to follow the same aspects and have the same menu, so I am trying to break that mould.

“The carvery, for example, had gone out of fashion but is now coming back in because people like it when they can get their food straight away.”

Mrs Barr said: “We are aiming at local folk as much as holidaymakers, although if we have plenty of nice restaurants it will bring more people to the town and that will be better for all of us.”

Next month the pub, which is now open seven days a week, will hold its third annual Starfest charity fun day in memory of former Merchant Navy seaman Chris Wing.

Mr Wing, the son of former Filey police inspector Les, died of a brain tumour in 2006 at the age of 33.

The Starfest event, which will take place on Sunday July 13, will feature music from local bands, a tombola, bouncy castle, stocks and a barbecue.

The event has raised a total of around £5,000 for Macmillan Nurses over the past two years.