An award-winning Cumbrian castle hotel has reinvented itself as a premier dining destination in a collaboration with a top county chef.
Justin Woods, formerly executive chef at The Castle Green Hotel in Kendal has joined forces with Simon and Wendy Bennett who have been welcoming guests to Augill Castle in the Eden valley between Kirkby Stephen and Appleby for more than twenty years.
Together they have created a brand new dining experience which promises to bring the very best of what local farms produce to the table.
Justin Woods said: “Let’s look at more local farmers and producers and really see what amazing things we can find in the Eden valley and surrounding area.”
Already menus have featured locally reared goat, lamb from neighbouring farms and Eden valley cheeses.
Simon Bennett added: “We’re aiming for the the best quality food cooked simply in the friendliest atmosphere. It’s what we’ve always striven to do at Augill, only now it’s better.”
Dinner guests have the opportunity to stay over after they’ve eaten in one of the castle’s seventeen individually designed bedrooms or suites.
Justin brings with him a wealth of international Michelin-starred experience, having started his career under celebrity chef John Burton-Race at the two Michelin-starred L’Ortolan restaurant in Berkshire. He then spent thirteen years at The Lanesborough at Hyde Park Corner during which time he worked in the Middle East, France and USA.
He makes Augill Castle his new culinary home after sixteen years as executive chef at The Castle Green.
The restaurant at the castle, JustinWoods@Augill, open Tuesday to Saturday evenings, is holding a series of tasting events by invitation during December as well as hosting Christmas parties and is now open to bookings.
There is a further programme of promotional events planned for January and February.
Dinner is £30 for three courses or £40 for the five course tasting menu.
For further information on Augill Castle or JustinWoods@Augill visit the castle’s website www.stayinacastle.com
