It seems the time between these blogs is getting wider! No wonder, given everything we’ve got going on. I’ve been spending so much time overseeing our £1.7 million renovation project and every day now I can see how it’s all really coming together and I just can’t wait until we launch everything in July! It’s going to be amazing.
One of the really nice things that’s come about as part of this project is the new children’s menu. As a business we’re really keen to work closely with the local community and local schools and we thought that asking local school children what they would like to see on a children’s menu would be a fun way to do it and a good way to listen to our customers. So, we invited children from the Key Stage 2 age group to design their own menu.
We put a competition together asking for 3 starters and 3 main courses with emphasis on using local, seasonal produce, because that’s what Peckforton Castle’s all about, and we sent it to schools within about a 10-mile radius.
The response was fantastic. Teachers told us they thought it was a great idea and the children were really enthusiastic about it. Our Head Chef Mark Ellis went to a few schools and talked to the children about the competition, Peckforton Castle and how we work with local producers.
When we started going through all the entries we were literally blown away by the effort made by the children – and no doubt some helpful parents – and the talent they’ve got! We had originally decided to award the winner a prize of a meal for 4 in the new Twenty10 Brasserie when it opens in July, plus a trip to Peckforton Castle with a tour, falconry display and picnic for the winner’s class, but when it came to judging it turned out differently because of the high standard of entries.
In the end we decided to have 2 joint first winners, both from Tarporley CofE Primary School. We’re using one for the actual design of the menu and the other for the starters and main course suggestions and there’ll be 2 classes that come for a trip to the Castle.
We can’t wait to see the menu all printed up and in action in the Twenty10 Brasserie and of course the 1851 Restaurant. So, when you see it you’ll now know the lovely story behind it!
Huge thanks to everyone who took part; teachers, parents and children.
See you soon, have a lovely bank holiday.
No doubt the next instalment will be all about the new facilities! Can’t wait for you to see them.