A Lake District pub and restaurant has appointed a new general manager.

The Punch Bowl Inn and Restaurant, at Crosthwaite, has appointed Claudiu Onofrei to head up its front of house team.

He has joined the Punch Bowl from the Gilpin Hotel in Windermere where he spent three and a half years in various roles, most recently as deputy restaurant manager.

Originally from Romania, Claudiu lived in Greece for nine years where he managed a small fish tavern before moving to the UK with wife, Lenka.

He started his career as a photographer in Romania and worked as a cameraman for the local TV news station before being drawn to a career in hospitality.

Claudiu said he was looking forward to working with Punch Bowl owner Richard Rose.

He said: “Richard’s not a boss, he’s a leader.

"He’s very decisive, knows how he wants to run his business, and has big ambitions, so I felt it was a very exciting time to join the team.

"Hospitality is like a beehive and we’re all worker bees. One group doesn’t do just one job and that’s the example Richard sets from the top.

“My focus is to concentrate on training and staff retention and pushing to be one step above the competition.

"It is my job to judge everything and I look forward to shaking Richard’s hand when more accolades and recognition come our way.”