Lisa Bennison
Lisa Bennison is product innovation manager for Bettys. York-born Lisa left school at 16, studied catering, got her first work placement with Bettys and – with just a short break – has been with them ever since. She lives in Harrogate, with her two daughters.
What’s your first Yorkshire memory? We lived in Acomb when I was a little girl and there wasn’t a lot of cash flying about back then, so when dad was at work my mother would take my sister and my brother and me to places like the Museum Gardens and we’d walk there – and back. It was a marvellous place for us youngsters, we could charge around, and let our imaginations run riot.
What’s your favourite part of the county – and why? Bridlington. It has always been a place that I love because my grandparents lived over there, and it was a real treat to go over to see them. Grandad was in charge of opening and shutting the gates of one of the railway lines and no visit was ever complete without a walk along the pier, and stopping off at the hot doughnuts stall, where you’d get them piping hot, and smothered in sugar.
What’s your idea of a perfect day, or a perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire? Getting up to Whitby and having a wander around this remarkable little town and some fish and chips, of course.
Do you have a favourite walk – or view? Anywhere around the Ingleton Waterfalls area.
Which Yorkshire sportsman, past or present, would you like to take for lunch? Jessica Ennis-Hill. I admire Jessica so much for her courage, her talent, and for that wonderful beaming smile.
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner? Dame Judi Dench who, like me, is a York-born lass. I’ve loved her ever since I first saw her on TV in As Time Goes By. She’s a brilliant actress, spanning everything from comedy to drama. I’d love to hear all the backstage gossip from the Bond movies.
If you had to name your Yorkshire ‘hidden gem’, what would it be? It’s Allerton Castle, and it’s a sort of Gothic Grade I-listed wedding cake, a huge place which has been very popular with lots of film companies for location work, and which also hosts weddings and corporate events. There’s a nearby hill which, I’m told, is associated with that old rhyme about the Grand Old Duke of York.
If you could choose somewhere, or some object, from or in Yorkshire to own for a day, what would it be? It would be wonderful to get all my friends, family and colleagues together, and to offer them the freedom of Flamingo Land. It would be a great day out – particularly for my nieces, who are involved with the health services and deserve all the praise they get.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity? It’s all the little pockets of lovely places that we have in the county. We in Yorkshire are so blessed.
Do you have a favourite restaurant, or pub? A while back, I promised myself that when I could afford it, I’d treat myself and my friend Jenny to a meal at the Black Swan at Oldstead. It was to be a “special event” meal for us both. It is Michelinstarred
and I could see why, because we both came out on cloud nine. It was a faultless night.
Do you have a favourite food shop? The place that never ever disappoints is Keelham Farm Shop, just outside Skipton.
How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you’ve known it? It’s not really changed, it’s an evolution where we seem to do very well at keeping old traditions and internal structures in all sorts of fields and enterprises, but where we blend in things
what’s the best way to get really crisp but melt-in-the-mouth onion rings?” I kid you not.
Has Yorkshire influenced your work? Very much so, because I am a stickler for using the best produce that I can source, and always in season. We produce some of the best cheeses, wonderful fruits and vegetables, and we should be looking to buy those, instead of plastic-wrapped stuff from supermarket shelves. Add to that my pleasure and pride in working for a family-led business, with strong ethical values.
Name your favourite Yorkshire book/author/artist/CD/ performer.?Anything by the Brontë sisters, and if I had to choose, it would be Wuthering Heights. They were inspired by nature and what they saw around them, and their imaginations shine as vividly today as they did when they were young women living in Haworth.
If a stranger to Yorkshire only had time to visit one place, it would be? York. I would love them to come with me to participate in next year’s Service of Nine Lessons and
Carols at the Minster and to enjoy the overwhelming feeling of faith, spirituality and goodwill. It’s a wonderful event, and for me, it’s the real start of the festive season. And we’d warm ourselves up afterwards with a few glasses of my special mulled wine.