CELEBRATED British chef Simon Rogan promoted Cumbria's 'open for business' message and encouraged people to visit the county during his TV appearance on Saturday Kitchen at the weekend. 

The Michelin-starred chef, whose flagship restaurant is L’Enclume, in Cartmel, appeared on the BBC One weekend food show alongside baking legend Mary Berry and actor Laurence Fox.

Presenter James Martin asked the top chef about Cumbria following the December floods and Mr Rogan said: "Businesses have been suffering quite a bit up there. People think because we had rain at the end of last year that Cumbria is closed, but it was only for a week and things got back to normal very quickly. We are very much open for business, so people must go there." 

Cartmel's L’Enclume has been voted the Best Restaurant in the UK,

and Mr Rogan explained on the show how it is self sufficient through his 12-acre Cartmel Valley farm.   

Mr Rogan's acclaimed restaurants also include Fera at Claridge’s, in London, Rogan & Company, in Cartmel and The French and Mr Cooper’s, in Manchester. 

Making his debut appearance on the popular show, Mr Rogan created a dish of roast sweetheart cabbage with mock teriyaki sauce. He then beat Great British Bake-Off host, Mary Berry, in Saturday Kitchen's omelette challenge.