Sam Miller has been appointed as chef director of the Michelin-starred Cottage in the Wood restaurant with rooms in the Lake District.

Prior to joining the restaurant, Sam Miller served as executive sous chef at three Michelin-starred Noma in Copenhagen in 2011 and 2013, head chef at two-Michelin-starred Faviken in Sweden in 2012, and head chef at Terrace in North Yorkshire; He replaces Ben Wilkinson, who left the restaurant this month to take on the role of head chef at Pass at the South Lodge country hotel and spa in Sussex.

Miller is preparing to present its new menu to its guests in September. Meanwhile, it is solidifying its links with Riverview Cottage Farm near Carlisle, which will grow crops for Cottage in the Wood.

Liam Berney, owner of the Cottage in the Wood, said: “Sam will bring a creative, contemporary and perhaps more informal approach to our dining experience and we hope his experience and techniques developed right at the heart of the formation of the ‘New Nordic’ food movement at Noma will help him define a new Northern English cuisine for us and also develop the sense of place that is central to what we offer.”

Miller added: “It’s good to be joining such an established restaurant with a strong reputation and in such a beautiful location.

“I share Kath and Liam’s passion for Cumbria and the north of England, and undertaking our work in a way that shows consideration for the environment and our surroundings. This will be expressed in my cooking, along with a focus on seasonality and quality of ingredients”.

Outgoing chef Wilkinson said: “We have had a lovely five years at the Cottage and would like to thank all the team, all of our fantastic guests, and our wonderful suppliers and producers for making it so special. We wish Kath and Liam all the best for the future and look forward to seeing the continuing successes of The Cottage.”