-
A Taste of Culinary Excellence at The Waterhead
Every four years, some of the world's top chefs and confectioners compete in the International Culinary Olympics held in Erfurt, Germany. English Lakes Hotels’ Group Executive Chef, Lee Jeynes (Captain of the Welsh Culinary Team) is due to take part in the 2008 event starting on the 19th October.
Lee has previously led the Welsh Culinary Team in preparing banquets for VIP statesmen including The Emperor of Japan, Nelson Mandela, and for Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales at Cardiff, as well as the State opening of the Welsh Assembly, along with regular functions for a number of Politicians.
Lee took over the The Bay kitchen, with his national competition brigade, to cook a meal for guest's at The Waterhead on 1st October. It was a chance for the team to work together for the last time prior to the International event.
-
A UK first offers the perfect reason to take the plunge
English Lakes Hotels were happy to host the returning Olympic heroes who provided inspirational performances on British waters for the UK public at the first ever, Great North Swim. The specially designed one-mile course starting and finishing at Low Wood Hotel on Lake Windermere, provided the stunning setting for first mass participation open water swim event of its kind in the UK.
Team GB’s David Davies splashed to victory at the UK’s largest open water swim ahead of Olympic rivals, Holland’s Maarten van der Weijden and Germany’s Thomas Lurz.
Continuing the epic battle which saw Davies take the Silver in Beijing, the Brit finished just seconds ahead of the Dutchman, much to the delight of the sizable crowd – with Lurz taking third place.In the women’s race, Keri-Anne Payne and Cassie Patten once again claimed success, Patten finishing at the top of the podium, closely followed by teammate Keri-Anne in a sensational photo finish.
Following in their wake on England’s largest natural lake, Windermere, over 2,000 swimmers took to the challenge of the one mile open water course against the stunning backdrop of the Lake District National Park
-
Charity cook off at Waterhead
Two top executives went head to head in a Hell’s Kitchen style event in aid of charity at The Waterhead Hotel this June. Commander Mike Walliker OBE, Captain of the Barrow built submarine HMS Astute, engaged in culinary combat with John Leveson, the Deputy Chief Executive of the Cumberland Building Society. Both were given expert help with their preparation and cooking. John Leveson was supported by Lee Jeynes, the Group Executive Development Chef at English Lakes Hotels. Commander Mike Walliker was supported by The Waterhead’s Head Chef, Michael Weston-Cole. John won the closely fought competition after each of the 80 diners once they had finished eating each course rated them on a scale of 1-5.The charity event raised £6,000. Diners paid £50 for their meals and also took part in a silent auction. The money raised has been split between Barnardo’s and Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland which were the two charities chosen by the ‘Executive Chefs.’
-
Colin Fox takes charge of the Japanese Market in the Lake District
The Lake District Japan Forum has announced the appointment of a new Chairman at a meeting at Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, held on Monday 19th May. Richard Foster, who is also the General Manager of the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness, handed over his role as Chairman of the Japan Forum, to fellow steering group member Colin Fox. Colin has been the Group Marketing Manager of English Lakes Hotels, for almost 12 years and a member of the Lake District Japan Forum steering Group for 11 years. The hotel group has always been actively involved in the Japan Forum.
The Forum is a proactive private and public sector partnership dedicated to attracting Japanese visitors to the Lake District area. The forum includes attractions, transport, accommodation operators and representatives from South Lakeland District Council and Cumbria Tourism.
-
Cumbrian trio train for 155km Chamonix Ultra-Trail
Two members of the Low Wood Leisure Club, Janet Lefton and her daughter Michelle and their personal trainer, Jo Wood, have travelled to Chamonix in France to prepare for the 155km Chamonix Ultra-Trail. Jo has been training the two women at the Low Wood for 4 years and after running a number of local trails they have decided they are ready to put their training to the test.
The Chamonix North Face Ultra-Trail in France is one of the toughest long distance races. Taking place over three days it is more than double the length of the London Marathon. The course starts and finishes in Chamonix but also covers three countries, seven valleys, 71 glaciers and 400 summits, experiencing a total ascent of 6000 metres all to be completed in 25 hours. Jo will be raising money for the Eve Appeal charity, which funds research into gynaecological cancers.
-
UK film stars make room for luxury at Lake District hotel
The Waterhead Hotel played host to some of Britain’s top film stars. Mackenzie Crook, star of Pirates of the Caribbean and The Office, was joined by Oscar nominated and BAFTA award winning Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake, Harry Potter) and Golden Globe nominee Colm Meaney (The Commitments, Con Air) at the award-winning hotel.
The popular actors were visiting the Lake District as part of a six week filming schedule for ‘3 and OUT’, an exciting new British independent film, which was released earlier this year. The comedy tells the tale of a group of ordinary people with unique dilemmas, and offers a cocktail of desperation, friendship, loneliness, love and even cannibalism!
In July last year, English Lakes Hotels welcomed Coronation Street stars Ryan Thomas and Tina O’Brian, who play Jason Grimshaw and Sarah Platt in the top soap. Ryan and Tina, who are dating in real life as well as on screen stayed at the four-star Storrs Hall Hotel, which is also located on the shores of Lake Windermere. Storrs Hall is a grade two listed Georgian Mansion set in 17 acres of grounds.