01 NOV 2005 LOCAL PRODUCE MAKES STONELEIGH PARK LODGE A WINNER

Stoneleigh Park Lodge was voted into the top 5 Best Restaurants in Coventry and Warwickshire in the recent Coventry & Warwickshire Food and Drink Awards after impressing judges with its commitment to local food.

The award recognised the Lodge’s commitment to providing good quality food and drink, and a high standard of customer service, in its Bistro, which is open to guests staying at the hotel. It also sets it apart as a business that actively seeks and uses fresh produce to imaginatively create a wealth of fresh, quality seasonal food and drink in its menu promotions.

General Manager at Stoneleigh Park Lodge Tom Keaveny explained why using local food and drink is vital for the business. “2 years ago we made a commitment to use fresh local produce, which reduces food miles, supports local industry, allows us to keep prices low and gives guests a flavour of the region. A dramatic improvement in occupancy and retention rate at the hotel is proof our visitors really appreciate this attention to detail. You could stay at Stoneleigh Park Lodge tonight, eat our ‘Stoneleigh Park Sirloin’, with melted garlic and paprika butter and tomorrow visit the farm just a few miles away where the beef was reared, to strict welfare standards.”

Based as it is at the home of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Royal Show, good British food is naturally important to the Lodge. It is an international destination too for thousands of visitors to the showground, so the menu is built around local produce with a European twist.

The Food and Drink Awards, now in their fourth year, are open to anyone serving food and drink to the public within the Coventry & Warwickshire area. They encourage and reward quality, excellence and the innovative use of fresh local produce.

Entries were assessed and short-listed by independent judges, and were visited by mystery shoppers. All were on the look out for quality of the welcome, service and customer care; quality of the food and drink; ambience, presentation and use of local produce.

Competition was formidable: the winner was an organic restaurant and the runner up was Michelin star restaurant, Mallory Court, which won the competition in 2004. What a great achievement for Stoneleigh Park Lodge, a catering operation that is still less than 2 years old!

The Stoneleigh Park Lodge is open for guests 7 days a-week, 360 days a-year. Rooms start from £65 bed and breakfast. Telephone 024 7669 0123, email info@stoneleighparklodge.com or book online at www.stoneleighparklodge.com

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Contacts

Stoneleigh Park Ltd: Kathryn Payne 02476 858267 / kathrynp@rase.org.uk

Notes

1. To find out more about Stoneleigh Park Lodge visit www.stoneleighparklodge.com
2. Image of Stoneleigh Park Lodge and Tom Keaveny available – contact Kathryn or visit www.rase.org.uk/about_RASE/news/photo_library/index.asp.