07 December 2011
Last Friday night I was lucky enough to be Executive Chef Justin Wood's 'plus one' at the Cumbria Life Food & Drink Awards where he was shortlisted for Chef of the Year.
We were treated to a Bedrock Gin reception (can still feel the headache!) and a three course dinner at Kendal College of ham hock terrine, lamb and chocolate delice cooked and served by the students themselves.
With Hairy Biker and fellow Cumbrian Dave Myers as host it was a great evening of celebration of all the fantastic fine dining and local produce that Cumbria has to offer culminating with Justin walking of with the coveted Chef of the Year award! Up against Paul McKinnon from the George & Dragon near Penrith and Mark Saunders of the Wild Boar Hotel, near Windermere, the judges commented that Justin's ability to retain his 2 AA Rosettes in our flagship Greenhouse Restaurant as well as overlooking our large banqueting operation, Alexanders Pub and our lounge bar put him head and shoulders above the rest.
His magnificent trophy will be placed slightly in front of colleague Andrew's National Young Chef of the Year Award when it goes in to the Hotel's trophy cabinet.
So with two award-winning chefs in our kitchen there's never been a better time to be a diner at Castle Green!
By Liz Duncan, 07 December 2011 –
09 February 2011
We're gearing up for Valentine's this weekend with all things romance. We've checked the weather which is supposed to be fantastic - well so say's the BBC - so love should certainly be in the air.
I've been married for nearly seven years and together for much longer so I'm only hoping for a card and at best a bunch of flowers, but there must be lots of you who are expecting much more! So if you gents haven't booked anything or ladies if you don't think he's got his act together yet, one call to our reservations team will sort the whole romantic weekend for you and we'll let you take all the credit.
If you're looking to propose not only can we help with the special event, bringing the ring out with dessert for example but we've even organised our wedding fayre for Sunday 20th February so you can book the date as well!
Good luck with whatever you're planning if we can help give us a call .
By Liz Duncan, 09 February 2011 –
02 December 2010
Wayne our breakfast chef arrived at 6am as normal on Monday morning to find a note from the previous nights kitchen team. It read 'Done set up for breakfast as normal, in case you need an extra pair of hands, look out back'. When he opened the back door of the kitchen he found his very own snowman to act as his sous chef for the morning.
It's been so cold that Mr Frosty (that's the snowman, I'm not calling one of the chefs!) is still on the balcony ready to lend a hand at a moments notice. Well as you can imagine with Christmas Parties in full swing we do need as many hands on deck as we can muster and at least he won't add to the wage cost.
By Liz Duncan, 02 December 2010 –
05 November 2010
I love Bonfire Night, it's so much better than Halloween.
We're going to Kendal Castle tonight for Kendal Round Table's annual firework display. To be honest we can see the fireworks from our bedroom window at home, but we'll get wrapped up and venture out if just to Ooooooooooo and Ahhhhhhhhhh when the fireworks explore.
The hotel guests should be OK though. Joe our Restaurant Manager reports that all our window tables have gone (they have a view of the castle) but we've opened up our Kendal Suite with roof terrace so everyone can go outside if they want and then dive back in for a winter warmer cocktail from the bar.
We're all a bunch of kids really! Enjoy your local displays.
By Liz Duncan, 05 November 2010 –
27 August 2010
Every Bank Holiday weekend my husband insists on trying to cram in as much activity as possible, when all I want to do is relax! Living here there's always something going on - mostly it's not too far from our front door, so I'm on a mission to keep things local so I get my well earned rest.
I'm not as fortunate as some though - we hosted the Kelleher brothers last night who are cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats in 10 days. Philip, Joe & Ed have recently lost both their grandfathers who suffered from Alzheimers in their final years so are hoping to raise £10,000 for the society's charity. The photo is of them before they set off having just eaten our famous Westmorland Breakfast whick will keep them going for a good few miles! You can support their fundraising efforts at www.justgiving.com/Jolyon-Kelleher
For those of us wanting a more relaxed bank holiday I'll see you at the Brewery Arts Centre on Sunday afternoon for their live music showcase - I'll be the one with the large G&T!
By Liz Duncan, 27 August 2010 –