Cumbrian restaurants have been honoured at a prestigious national hospitality awards ceremony.
The AA Hospitality Awards were held last night in London and handed out special awards across 18 categories and announced the new AA rosette-winning restaurants and AA star-winning hotels.
The event, hosted by Vernon Kay, celebrated the most outstanding hotels, spas, restaurants, inns and B&Bs, along with the people who drive them forward.
Forest Side, at Grasmere, was awarded five rosettes.
Source at the Gilpin Hotel near Windermere and Cedar Tree Restaurant by Hrishikesh Desai, at Farlam Hall in north Cumbria, were awarded four rosettes.
Ollie Bridgwater, executive chef at Source at Gilpin Hotel, said: “Winning four AA rosettes is an incredible milestone for the whole team, and for everyone at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House.
“It’s a huge honour to receive one of the highest accolades for food.
“We’ve been working tirelessly towards a shared vision for the restaurant and being recognised along the way, especially with such a prestigious award, has a real galvanising effect on the team.
“It’s a reflection of the passion, creativity and dedication that everyone brings to the restaurant, every single day.
Looking to the future, I hope that this award will inspire us to push even further, to continue evolving the menu and refining the guest experience.
“Our aim is to ensure that every element of SOURCE from our dishes to our interiors and sourcing practices meet the highest standards.”
Cedar Tree chef patron Hrishikesh Desai said: “We are truly humbled that The Cedar Tree has been awarded 4 AA rosettes.
“This recognition reflects the creativity, skill, and dedication of our entire team, who strive daily to deliver a special dining experience for guests.
“At Farlam Hall, we aim to offer more than a meal; each course is part of a culinary journey, with insights shared as dishes appear, creating a personal, immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of flavour and presentation.”
Skof in Manchester, run by Barrow’s Tom Barnes was named among the Restaurants of the Year and was awarded three rosettes.
Daniel Thwaites, which runs hotels including the Langdale Chase, near Ambleside, was named Group of the Year.
