Knife & Sole is a pop-up catering business that was built by husband and wife Michael Russell and Gabriella Kiss-Russell.

Michael is the chef while Gabriella handles the advertising, correspondence and background work. After wanting to be a chef his whole life, Michael started as a kitchen apprentice at 16 years old and worked his way up the ladder to train in classical French and English cuisine.

Gabrielle is originally from Hungary but while completing a degree in Tourism and Hotel Industry she 'fell in love with the Lake District' and interned at the Bay Horse Hotel and Restaurant in Ulverston.

Eventually Michael moved to work at the Lodore Falls Hotel in Keswick where the two first met.

Over four years they gained experience as Gabrielle moved from front-of-house staff, bar and restaurant work to reception, then sales and marketing, dealing with weddings and private diners.

The married couple followed Michael's career to the Boathouse Bar & Restaurant in the Marina Village, Bowness, and celebrating a daughter as Michael became head chef at the Fisherman’s Arms in Baycliff.

When Covid hit Michael joined a chef agency which included travelling across Cumbria, giving him the chance to meet suppliers. He took the Head Chef job in the Blacksmiths Arms in Broughton Mills where he was able to create his own menu.

After their son was born Gabrielle and Michael decided to take the leap and start their own business. In April 2023 Knife & Sole was created to offer freelance chefing, private dining, catering, festival and event pop ups.

Knife and Sole will attend any venue, and have started to do buffets. Their pop up evenings are currently once a month at Platform One in Askam and they have been busy with a number of shows and festivals.

Seasonal, fine dining tasting menus are designed so people can try as many or as few dishes as they wish and are prepared fresh with seasonal and local ingredients.

Michael's signature dish is Stout Braised Ox Cheek, Smoked Celeriac Puree, Roasted Carrots, Sauteed Wild Mushrooms and Dates, Stout Jus.

Knife and Sole are currently working with Lake District Lobster & Seafood Company in Ulverston as they attend local events. They appeared at FineFest and Cartmel Show and will be visiting Millom & Broughton as well as the Dickensian Festival.

Gabrielle said that as a freelance chef Michael 'excelled and he started to build a reputation'.

She said: “Our dream was always to have our own place and to work for ourselves. This passion created Knife & Sole Ltd'.