Tsuchi & The Black Bull: Japanese-German Fusion in Sedbergh

Situated in Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales, The Black Bull is helmed by husband and wife duo, front-of-house James Ratcliffe and chef Nina Matsunaga, whose inventive, seasonal cooking reflects a thoughtful blend of her Japanese and German heritage. Born in Düsseldorf, Matsunaga studied Culinary Arts Management in London before completing a master’s in Food Policy and going on to lead a cookery school in Germany. Her return to the UK saw her dive into Manchester’s dynamic street-food scene, launching The Moocher with her partner, James. In 2014, the pair moved to Sedbergh to open The Three Hares, a venture that quickly earned critical praise. Since then, Matsunaga has garnered multiple AA Rosettes, a place in the UK Top 50 Gastropubs, and an array of industry accolades. She is the current Be Inclusive Hospitality Chef of the Year 2025 and has showcased her skills on the BBC’s Great British Menu.

Her latest project, Tsuchi, a fine-dining restaurant nestled within the acclaimed Black Bull, brings her philosophy into sharp focus. Here, she pairs a Japanese sensibility with the finest British produce, crafting dishes that are balanced, imaginative, and deeply attuned to the seasons. The food she crafts for The Black Bull is a bit more of a relaxed affair, using seasonal, British ingredients to create a more honest menu – albeit with the same emphasis on quality and flavour.

A Taste of Tsuchi & The Black Bull

At The Black Bull, Nina crafts menus rooted in ethical, nose-to-tail principles, sourcing the finest local produce from the Lune Valley and surrounding counties, including traditional livestock, game, sustainably sourced fish, and foraged ingredients.