From field to fork
With its exceptional passion for food and drink Macdonald Hotels
& Resorts has created the perfect taste of summer with its
selection of UK breaks for discerning gourmands.
With over 40 hotels and resorts in the UK - many home to AA
Rosette award winning restaurants - including Bowaters at The
Macdonald Compleat Angler, one of the finest hotels in Marlow, the
use of fresh seasonal produce is paramount to the group's
ethos.
The hotel group is also one of only a handful to proudly state
where all its ingredients come from and its expert chefs are
focused on sustainably sourcing produce.
As a result, the chefs at Macdonald Hotels regularly change
their menus so the emphasis is always on fresh, seasonal
ingredients. Traceability is crucial, as is developing strong
relationships with the UK's best growers who can offer good
provenance and sustainability.
Taste of summer
A classic fruit favourite for al fresco dining and picnics this
summer is the Strawberry. This luscious summer fruit is the toast
of Wimbledon, and goes excellently with anything from ice-cream, to
Pimms not forgetting that great British tradition - Afternoon
Tea.
With such an excellent pedigree it's no surprise that
strawberries make several appearances on the menu at Bowaters at
the Compleat Angler, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts' 2 AA rosette
restaurant.
David Smith, Executive Chef at Bowaters restaurant in Marlow,
serves strawberries in his delicious Strawberries and whipped Cream
layered in sweet puff pastry biscuits or simply with rich, fresh
cream as part of the restaurant's 'Champagne & Strawberries'
offer.
David says, "The strawberry plays a huge role in our seasonal
dessert menu, so hotel restaurants need to keep well stocked
throughout the summer - or guests would be very disappointed
indeed. This year we wanted a sweet, authentic tasting strawberry
to give our diners a summer taste sensation to remember. To achieve
this we have worked closely with our Kent farmer Peter Vinson who
has been supplying us with a new variety called the 'Sweet Eve' -
certain to be the strawberry of Summer 2011. "
Strawberry fields forever
Expert berry grower, Peter Vinson in Faversham, Kent, has
introduced the 'Sweet Eve' to be a plumper, juicier berry with the
aroma and intense flavour of wild strawberries. These delicious
summer strawberries are so perfect they can easily be enjoyed
without cream or sugar.
The Vinson family has been farming in Kent for more than 150
years and his ultimate vision is to extend the British strawberry
season, which he has set about achieving through a bespoke breeding
programme. Thanks to his modern growing techniques he will be
supplying his British-grown strawberries from the end of May right
through to October, certainly music to the ears of strawberry
lovers across the country. Those with an eye on 'green' credentials
will also be pleased to note that Peter is committed to minimising
his environmental impact and prioritises innovative growing
techniques that are environmentally sustainable.
Peter commented: "Good flavour is largely to do with high sugar,
low acid and a good aroma. As we become more health aware, people
are eating strawberries on their own without sugar or cream and
therefore the berries need to have a fabulous flavour in their own
right. Our strawberries really do taste like strawberries used to
taste."
Macdonald Hotels & Resorts believes in using only the finest
and freshest produce in its hotels. Chefs work from whole raw
ingredients and plan menus by the season to ensure wherever
possible UK produce comes first. The selection of foods includes
British free range eggs that carry the Lion Quality mark, fresh
milk from award winning Graham's Family Dairy in Scotland, 21 day
matured beef fed on mineral rich grass from Scotland's farms and
the famous traditionally smoked fish from John Ross Jr's 150 year
old red-brick kilns in Aberdeen, supplier to H.M. The Queen.
The summer the UK's leading hotel group is offering great hotel
deals with rooms from just £49 per person per night at any one of
its 48 hotels and resort properties, ideal for family, golf and spa
breaks UK wide. Simply book a UK hotel break before 31 August and
stay from 13 June until 5 September. For visits from Sunday to
Thursday, there will be an additional complimentary £15 voucher per
room per stay, redeemable against the Group's award-winning food
and drink, championship golf or exquisite spas. And, children under
12 can stay and eat free.
