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Robin Alway
Editorial Director
INDUSTRY NEWS
Cornish eatery crowned best seafood restaurant
Prawn on the Lawn in Padstow, Cornwall has been named as the UK’s Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2019, in the annual competition presented by Seafish, the public body supporting the UK seafood industry.
Owned and run by Katie and Rick Toogood, Prawn on the Lawn opened its doors in Padstow in May 2015. Before that, the couple ran a fully licensed fishmonger and restaurant in Islington, London. The family-run restaurant impressed judges with its “visible fish counter, excellent wine list, range of available species on the menu and overall concept.”
Owner Rick Toogood said: “We are absolutely stunned and a bit emotional. It’s incredible to win this against such respected competition. The other restaurants in the top five are all brilliant restaurants.”
One of the judges was Guy Owen, proprietor and head chef of last year’s winner, The Idle Rocks, St. Mawes in Cornwall. He said: “Prawn on the Lawn had an exceptional mystery audit report and is a restaurant that is quirky and fun. It’s a small business using local ‘day’ fishing boats for their supplies of fish and shellfish and a variety of other local suppliers. Prawn on the Lawn is a bit of London in the South West.”
Andy Gray, Trade Marketing Manager for Seafish, said: “It’s genuinely inspirational to be among such talented seafood ambassadors. The competition for the title of Seafood Restaurant of the Year title becomes tougher every year and Prawn on the Lawn embodies everything that a good seafood restaurant should be: a business that educates and promotes the eating of fish and shellfish in the right way, simply and ethically, whilst providing a unique experience for the customer.”
IOW Distillery celebrates design award
Mermaid Gin from the Isle of Wight Distillery has been awarded first place in the International Wine and Spirit Competition for its plastic-free sculpted bottle, which is topped by a wood capped cork and plant-based tamper-proof seal.
Xavier Baker, co-founder at the Isle of Wight Distillery said: “This award is proof that a commitment to being plastic-free and 100% recyclable doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style. Thanks to a brilliant team and our partners, we’ve managed to balance both. This is such a prestigious award – we couldn’t be more pleased. It’s really an award for this innovative island as much as Mermaid.”
Cornish Tourism Awards announced
The 18th annual tourism awards for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly were announced at a ceremony on 7th November at Truro Cathedral.
Top winners on the night included Mylor Sailing and Powerboat School, picking up the Winner of Winners trophy alongside three further trophies, while the new Business Leader award was presented to June Donnery from Perran Sands Holiday Park.
There was also a special Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award presented to James Staughton, CEO of St Austell Brewery, who is about to retire following 40 years in the industry.
Food and Drink Gold awards went to Boscastle Farmshop and Cafe, The Pandora Inn and Una Kitchen. Attraction Golds went to St Michael’s Mount and Camel Valley Vineyards. Bude Canoe Experience took Gold for Learning Experience with Select South West Tours taking their third Gold for International Tourism.
There was a Gold for Boconnoc for Wedding Venue of the Year and for the Headland Cornwall for Business Events Venue. Teacup Tearoom took Gold for Dog-Friendly with the Halzephron starring as Dog-Friendly Pub. Accommodation Golds went to Glynn Barton Cottages, Penbugle Organic Farm, St Michaels Resort, Stargazy Inn and Coastal Valley Camp and Crafts.
The Tourism Event and Festival Gold went to Porthleven Food Festival, with Longstone Lodge and Café winning Gold for New Tourism Business and Tanglewood Kitchen for Tourism Innovation. Visit Truro Visitor Information Centre took Gold for Visitor Information, while Gold in the Wildlife Friendly category was taken by Forest Holidays.
Head of Visit Cornwall, Malcolm Bell, commented: “The awards shine the spotlight of excellence on some of our best and leading tourism operators in Cornwall. It is this excellence that makes Cornwall one of, if not the leading, UK holiday regions. It celebrates not only the businesses but also the teamwork from staff, managers and owners as only team work can deliver excellence.”
For a full list of winners visit www.cornwalltourismawards.org.uk.
St Austell Brewery acquires new pub
St Austell Brewery has acquired The Rising Sun in Pensford, on the outskirts of Bristol to add to their tented estate of over 175 pubs, inns and hotels.
The riverside pub received an award for Best Pub at the Western Daily Press Food & Farming Awards in 2018 and was recently shortlisted for Best Foodie Pub at the Crumbs Awards.
Steve Worrall, retail director at St Austell Brewery said: “The Rising Sun is a really wonderful acquisition for the company and a natural fit with the rest of our tenanted pub portfolio in the Bath and Bristol area, which also includes The Albion in Clifton and The Lamplighters in Shirehampton.
“As a business, we have an ongoing strategy to strengthen our award-winning estate of pubs and hotels across the South West. With over 160 years’ experience of championing the pub as the focal point of the community, we look forward to developing the Rising Sun’s offering in partnership with our new tenants Lisa Faulkner and Becca Fricker.”
Rockfish results mark “turning point”
Rockfish, the South West Seafood restaurant group run by Mitch Tonks, has released results for the year-end 2019.
Tonks said: “2018/19 was a real turning point for our business. We saw some tremendous like-for-like sales, opened one restaurant but also paused to consider what was going on in the wider industry and economy and focused on strengthening our senior team and building the pipeline for the future.
“In the year we opened a fantastic restaurant in Exeter, appointed Dave Strauss as Restaurant Director, continued to invest in our current people & our fish supply business (including having a dedicated trawler out at sea fishing for the best seafood in the world) and we completed on sites in Weymouth (which opened this year) and Poole. We secured a further site in Sidmouth and expect to announce more locations shortly, which will underpin our growth into 2021. In the year we refinanced the business and found an excellent partner in Gresham Ventures, who
were as excited as we are about our future plans.”
The results showed sales of £7.95m (compared to £6.90m in 2018) and restaurant EBITA of £1.40m (£1.35m in 2018) with an operating profit of £114k.
Will Beckett, Chairman of Rockfish and CEO of Hawksmoor: “Rockfish continues to amaze me – it’s such a special business, consistently opening wonderful restaurants while also contributing to the local economy in areas most restaurateurs have never visited let alone considered opening in, and to the local fishing industry. Mitch and his team have a wonderful blend of ambition and pragmatism that I think will serve Rockfish well for many years to come.”
White Brasserie opens new pub
The White Brasserie Company, the “family of British pubs with a French brasserie twist”, has announced the launch of its 20th site, in Gloucestershire.
The Kings Arms will open on 9th December in the village of Prestbury, near Cheltenham. The Grade II listed building has undergone a refurbishment and will be a “combination of cosy spaces and open-plan dining with multi-layered textures and injections of bold colours to create an atmosphere for all.“
The pub will offer fresh seasonal French food and British pub classics. Dishes include smoked pork belly served with apple and crackling, paella Valenciana with red mullet and seasonal dishes such as British roast pheasant with girolle mushrooms and muscat pumpkin.
The cellar will offer a range of locally brewed ales, wines from around the world, artisan gins, spirits and cocktails.
Cunard collaborate on craft beers
Luxury cruise line Cunard has partnered with microbrewery Dark Revolution to create a trio of craft beers available exclusively on Cunard’s ‘Three Queens’ ships.
The Cunard beers are a ‘Black’ Stout, a ‘Red’ IPA, and a ‘Gold’ Pilsner and will be available on tap, in cans and as a tasting flight in the Golden Lion pub on board.
Cunard Black is described as a “handcrafted Biscotti Breakfast Stout, inspired by Cunard’s legacy of world navigation with flavours from around the globe.” Cunard Red is a “handcrafted IPA with a gentle nod to Cunard’s iconic transatlantic crossing, combining American hops and British malts for fruity and citrus flavours and aromas.” While Cunard Gold is a “classic handcrafted pilsner, with fragrant hops and British malts combining for a German-style pilsner.”
Anthony Habert, senior manager, Beverage Development, Cunard said: “Dark Revolution is known for their outstanding quality, balance and finish and we are very excited to partner with the brewery in creating these exclusive blends, adding to Cunard’s exceptional selection of drinks on board.”
FOOD AND DRINK NEWS
Vote for free beer
Stroud Brewery is offering a free pint of their new X Appeal Ballot Box Beer to newly registered voters who attend the Register to Vote Stroud event at their brewery on Thursday 21st November.
The organic pale ale has a bigger purpose, according to the organic beer producer’s managing director, Greg Pilley, who said: “We want to encourage as many people to register to vote as possible. Nationally there has been a recent surge in young people registering. We want to support that trend and encourage new voters to engage in a democratic decision that will have a profound impact on the rest of their lives”
X Appeal Ballot Box Beer will also be available in pubs across Gloucestershire and Bristol.
Salcombe Brewery launching low alcohol beer
Salcombe Brewery Co. is launching its first reduced alcohol beer, Salcombe Light, in January 2020.
The ABV 2.5% golden ale has been dry-hopped with Citra and Cascade hops for “extra zing” and will be a small batch brew available on draught in pubs across the country and in bag-in-boxes (5L, 10L and 20L) from the brewery shop.
Head brewer, Sam Beaman comments: “As part of our series of small batch beers we wanted to launch a reduced alcohol ale to meet the growing demands by consumers which would also be available in January when many drinkers are looking for a lower alcohol alternative. I am thrilled that we have been able to create a brew that fits that bill without compromising on the flavour. Salcombe Lite is a super session ale that punches well above its weight.” It can be purchased online at www.salcombebrewery.com or contact the brewery on 01548 854888.
New Forest’s Malted Milkshake
New Forest Ice Cream is adding a Malted Milkshake flavour to their range of ice creams. They say it’s “perfect for serving alongside a range of desserts” but can also be used to create “moreish, malty milkshakes” without the need for additional malted milk powder.
Christina Veal, director, New Forest Ice Cream said: “As with ice cream, there are always new trends arising in milkshakes and we have seen a definite demand for malted shakes. The ice cream has been designed specifically for use in milkshakes and already has the addition of malt extract to offer complete ease when it comes to preparation. The ice cream blends seamlessly with milk to create the most deliciously thick malted shakes. Malt has a rich, moreish flavour that lends itself perfectly to the indulgence of a milkshake and operators can really have some fun by adding tempting toppings. We’re sure it will bring back memories for many, as well as offer an entirely new flavour for others!”
For more details go to www.newforesticecream.com or call 01590 647611.
APPOINTMENTS
Lympstone Manor appoints new GM
Lympstone Manor has announced the appointment of Anca Paraschiv as general manager.
She takes on the role at the luxury hotel and restaurant located in Exmouth Devon after three years as assistant general manager and takes over from Scott Andrews, who has left the business after three years of service.
Anca worked with Lympstone founder Michael Caines at the Bath Priory Hotel as restaurant manager and then went on to spend four years working for Sat Bains at his Restaurant with Rooms in Nottingham as manager.
Several other promotions were also announced to “pave the way for future developments planned for 2020”.
These include Jordan Denning, former senior sous chef, who has been promoted to head chef. Jordan has worked with Michael for over nine years at the former Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter, Gidleigh Park, the Williams Formula One Racing team and at the recently-awarded 2 Michelin starred Green House in Dublin before joining the team at Lympstone Manor when it opened in 2017.
Steve Garrod re-joins the team as assistant general manager after a stint as hospitality lecturer at Bath College and Emma Bowen has been promoted to the role of operations manager.
Paying tribute to these promotions Michael said, “Our business is all about people and seeing these young staff develop into these roles over the past two and half years fills me with pride. As a team, we continue to work together to deliver exceptional service to all our guests, whilst promoting a culture that nurtures talent and develops their skills.”
INDUSTRY EVENTS 2019
November
Food Matters Live 2019
19th – 20th November 2019
ExCeL, London
“The Food Matters Live 2019 exhibition will bring together a host of food and drink manufacturers and ingredients suppliers from both the UK and internationally.”
https://www.foodmatterslive.com/
Restaurant & Takeaway Innovation Expo
19th – 20th November 2019
ExCeL, London
“Europe’s leading event for takeaway and restaurant owners looking to boost their profits.”
http://www.takeawayexpo.co.uk/
Street Food Live
19th – 20th November 2019
ExCeL, London
“Europe’s only B2B event for street food and catering professionals.”
http://www.streetfoodlive.co.uk/
Coffee Shop Innovation Expo
19th – 20th November 2019
ExCeL, London
“Europe’s leading event for coffee shop business owners.”
http://www.coffeeshopexpo.co.uk/
Restaurant & Bar Tech Live
19th – 20th November 2019
ExCeL, London
“Europe’s leading event for the technologies driving the profits of restaurants & bars.”
http://www.restauranttechlive.co.uk/
Restaurant & Bar Design Show
19th – 20th November 2019
ExCeL, London
“The UK’s most comprehensive event dedicated to the very latest and most stylish designs for restaurants and bars.”
http://www.restaurantdesignshow.co.uk/
I.D.E – International Drink Expo
19th – 20th November 2019
ExCeL, London
“The UK’s only event dedicated to maximising your drinks sales.”
http://www.internationaldrinkexpo.co.uk/
Bristol, Bath and Somerset Tourism Awards Ceremony
21st November 2019
Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre
“The prestigious tourism awards ceremony, where the winners will be announced by Laura Rawlings from BBC Bristol.”
For more information & to book tickets, please visit
https://www.somersettourismawards.org.uk/
Devon Tourism Awards Ceremony
28th November 2019
The Riviera International Conference Centre, Torquay
“The prestigious tourism awards ceremony, following a record 240 entries from across Devon.”
For more information & to book tickets, please visit
https://www.devontourismawards.org.uk/