Seasonal dishes lead to top food award for Macdonald Hotels

30th May 2006

Sample the award-winning menus for yourself in June with 30% off selected dinner, bed and breakfast breaks!

A fresh approach to menu-planning combined with significant investment at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has resulted in its first major award win for catering.

Alan Swinson, Head of Catering, was last week honoured with a MenuMasters Award in recognition of his role in the development of all menus within Macdonald Hotels, as part of the Group’s £30m investment in its food and beverage services.

The annual awards recognize elite food and menu developers across all sectors of the catering industry, awarding the most innovative and successful new menu items implemented over the year. Swinson has introduced a seasonal approach to menu planning, and has focused his menus firmly on the Group’s Scottish heritage. Breakfast menus, for example, now feature free-range eggs, muffins baked with seasonal fruit and smoked kippers sourced from Loch Fyne.

Take advantage of special seasonal offers to sample the award-winning menus at three of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts flagship hotels this June:

30% off at the Macdonald Bath Spa Hotel: dinner, bed and breakfast from £119 pp – Set just ten minutes walk from the centre of Bath, this superb Georgian Mansion set in seven acres of grounds was converted to a 5 star hotel in 1990. The hotel offers two restaurants – the two AA Rosette-winning Vellore Restaurant which offers traditional English fare, and a more informal Mediterranean-style menu served in the Alfresco Restaurant. Sample dishes from the Vellore menu currently include: Cornish Crab and Scallop Ravioli with Broad Beans and Shellfish Juices, Pan Fried John Dory with Saffron Crushed Potato, Roasted Courgette Flower, Baby Fennel and Chive Beurre Blanc, and Chocolate Ganache with White Chocolate Sorbet. Until 30th June, enjoy 30 per cent off an overnight dinner, bed and breakfast stay with prices starting from £119 per person per night. Two share.

30% off at the Macdonald Holyrood Hotel: dinner, bed and breakfast from £80 pp – The four star Macdonald Holyrood Hotel is located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House. Positioned adjacent to the Scottish Parliament and overlooking Arthur's Seat, the shops of Princes Street lie less than five minutes away. The hotel’s restaurant, OPUS 504, offers produce true to the hotel’s Scottish heritage. Typical dishes featuring on the menu at present include: Creamed Arbroath smokie risotto with Cheddar bites, Roasted free range barbary duck breast, glazed with heather honey and accompanied braised cabbage and Platter of Scottish Cheeses. Until 30th June, enjoy 30 per cent off an overnight dinner, bed and breakfast stay with prices starting from £80 per person per night. Two share.

30% off at the Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa: dinner, bed and breakfast from £76pp – Located in Ascot, the Macdonald Berystede is a unique country house hotel fashioned in the style of a French Chateau complete with turrets. Set amongst six acres of grounds, the recently refurbished property also offers a Health and Beauty Spa. The two AA rosette award winning Hyperion restaurant serves tempting cuisine in a picturesque setting, with alfresco dining on the roof terrace available during summer. Sample dishes currently on offer include: Smoked Beef Carpaccio drizzled with truffle oil and parmesan shavings, Roast Turbot with Dill & Lime Leaf Risotto dressed with a Saffron Sauce Served with Glazed Baby Fresh Vegetables and New Potatoes and Soufflé Glacè with Caramelised Oranges. Until 30th June, enjoy 30 per cent off an overnight dinner, bed and breakfast stay with prices starting from £76 per person per night. Two share.

Following Swinson’s award, the Group has announced plans to build on his efforts by introducing a Food Quality Assurance Charter this summer in which Macdonald Hotels & Resorts actively commits to buying in fresh, seasonal, top quality produce from suppliers who offer full traceability. This includes 21-day aged hand-cut beef from ScotBeef’s premium Scottish herds, seafood from the Loch Fyne Oyster Company and free-range eggs and corn-fed chicken from British farms committed to animal welfare.

Back to Press Articles