Lisa Goodwin-Allen is a British chef best known for her leadership at Northcote, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Lancashire. Her career has been defined by her commitment to modern British cuisine, her ability to balance tradition with innovation, and her dedication to mentoring young chefs.

Born in Lancaster, England, in 1981, Goodwin-Allen developed a passion for cooking from an early age. She trained at Holbeck Ghyll in Windermere, Cumbria, while completing her National Vocational Qualifications in catering. She later worked at Le Champignon Sauvage in Cheltenham under David Everitt-Matthias, an experience that reinforced her appreciation for seasonality and ingredient quality.

In 2001, at the age of 20, Goodwin-Allen joined Northcote under Nigel Haworth, initially as a demi chef de partie. Her talent and dedication saw her rise quickly through the ranks—she became chef de partie in 2002, junior sous chef in 2003, and sous chef in 2004. That same year, at just 23 years old, she was promoted to Head Chef, making her one of the youngest chefs to lead a Michelin-starred kitchen. In 2017, she was further promoted to Executive Chef, overseeing Northcote’s culinary direction.

Under Goodwin-Allen’s leadership, Northcote has retained its Michelin star, which it has held since 1996. Her cooking style emphasizes seasonality, locality, and modern interpretations of British classics, drawing inspiration from the Ribble Valley landscape. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including Chef of the Year at the Northern Hospitality Awards (2008) and Restaurant Chef of the Year at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards (2011).

Goodwin-Allen gained national recognition when she competed in Great British Menu (2010), where she was the only female chef in her regional heat. She won the round and went on to cook her dish—a rabbit and leek turnover with piccalilli—at a banquet hosted by Prince Charles. She later appeared as a chef mentor on MasterChef: The Professionals.

Beyond her Michelin-starred achievements, Goodwin-Allen has participated in pop-up dining experiences, including leading the culinary experience at Allianz Stadium’s East Wing in 2024. Her influence extends beyond the kitchen, as she has been a vocal advocate for gender equality in hospitality and a mentor to aspiring chefs.

Her career is a testament to perseverance, innovation, and a commitment to excellence in modern British cuisine.