MACDONALD HOTEL RESTAURANT AWARDED AA ROSETTE

Local residents in and around Wigan can now tempt their taste buds with award winning cuisine. This week, the Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel in Standish was awarded its first AA Rosette for its food after a ‘mystery guest’ inspected the hotel and its services. The AA Rosette award scheme assesses the quality of food in restaurants and hotels across the country. The hotel’s ‘Laureate Restaurant’ received the accolade under the skills of Head Chef Colin Gannon. Colin, who manages a five-strong chef brigade, took on the role of head chef in 2005, and over the last year has had his sights firmly focused on gaining the prestige AA rosette for the restaurant.

Colin – who previously worked at the Michelin Star, One Devonshire Gardens in Glasgow, impressed the AA judge with his starter of Hand Dived Orkney Isle Scallops followed by a dish of Slow Roasted Outdoor Reared Belly Pork for the main course and Melting Bitter Chocolate Pudding for dessert. The hotel was also judged on its staff, reservations procedures, accommodation and the standard of the breakfasts it serves as well as dinner during the inspector’s ‘secret’ overnight stay.

Commenting on the success Ehtisham Waris, General Manager at the hotel commented, “The restaurant always had a good reputation but to gain its first rosette is absolutely fantastic. It is a stunning result which is a credit to the entire kitchen team and it emphasises the quality of the food which is served in the Laureate Restaurant.”

Colin added, “This award clearly demonstrates that all our hard work over recent months has paid off. We serve a range of food with innovative ideas taken from Modern British and European dishes- but with a bit of a twist! Our Melting Bitter Chocolate pudding is delicious and I was especially delighted that the inspector commented on how nice and different this was! Our next aim will be to get our second rosette within the year and I have a great team around me to help achieve this.”

The Laureate Restaurant is open daily for dinner from 7pm – 9.30pm, and for lunch on a Sunday for residents and non-residents. Reservations 01257 472100.