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The Dining Room at Summer Lodge is awarded best restaurant in Dorset

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 17:55:55 +0100

The five-star Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa in Evershot, Dorset has once again been recognised for its culinary prowess, winning the “Best Restaurant” in the 2011 Taste of Dorset Awards.

The Taste of Dorset Awards were announced this weekend, recognising the best foodie treats in Dorset from restaurants, pubs, local food heroes, farm shops and independent food and drink producers.

The “Best Restaurant” category has a particular emphasis on locally sourced ingredients, and was judged by sponsor Princecroft Willis. Summer Lodge has been nominated in this category every year of the awards’ four-year history, and has won twice.

Executive Chef Steven Titman and his team serve traditional English dishes tempered with a twist of modern European. The menus offer the finest meats and the most delicately cooked fish dishes with many of the ingredients sourced from the wealth of fine produce found in the locality, and from the hotel’s own organic gardens.

Signature dishes include:

‘Ceviche’ of Lyme Bay Scallops and Yellowfin Tuna Carpaccio with Pickled Vegetables, Soy and Sesame
Grilled Breast of Pigeon with Golden Beetroot, Macerated Cherries and Dorset Watercress
A Taste of Rare Breed ‘Middle White’ Pork with Potato Mille Feuille, Gooseberry Puree and Baby Vegetables
Roast Loin of Dorset Lamb and Braised Shoulder ‘Shepherds Pie’ with Savoy Cabbage and Rosemary Jus
English Strawberries with Elderflower ‘Savarin’, Lemon Balm Custard and Clotted Cream Ice Cream

This is the latest in a long line of accolades that the Dining Room at Summer Lodge has received, including winner of the 'Best British Cheeseboard 2010' by The British Cheese Awards and No.1 restaurant in Dorset (plus No.2 in South West England and No.27 in Britain) according to the Sunday Times Food List, 2010.

Not forgetting the importance of marrying the finest wines with the delicious menus, Summer Lodge’s world-class sommelier Eric Zwiebel is always on hand to make recommendations from the hotel’s impressive wine cellar. Eric has been named one of the world’s four most accomplished practitioners in the Best Sommelier of The World Competition and Ruinart’s UK Sommelier of the Year, for which is he now on the judging panel himself.

Summer Lodge is regularly innovating and offering food-loving guests a variety of events, masterclasses and special dinners. Events this year have included a Cheese Lunch & Masterclass, a series of mushroom, hedgerow and seashore forages and an exclusive lunch event with TV chef Lesley Waters.

Summer Lodge Hotel & Spa, part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, is a beautiful Georgian manor partially designed by Thomas Hardy. It is located in the pretty village of Evershot, surrounded by four acres of pristine gardens and boasts an award-winning restaurant and a spa, with indoor pool, sauna, beauty salon, whirlpool spa and treatment rooms.

For more information, please visit www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk and to book, please call the hotel on 01935 482000

International Young Sommelier of the Year - Clement Robert of Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa takes top honours

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 16:27:04 +0000

On Saturday 24th October Clement Robert, of Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, emerged as winner of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs International Young Sommelier of the Year competition in Santander, Northern Spain. Competing against eleven others, who were each winners of their own national competitions, Clement held his nerve to lift the trophy.
Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic society founded in Paris in 1950, is devoted to promoting fine dining and preserving the camaraderie and pleasures of the table. It is based on the traditions and practices of the old French royal guild of goose roasters. With a written history dating back to 1248, and granted a royal charter in 1610, it is a very venerable organisation and its awards are much coveted.

Clement started out as a trainee sommelier at a Michelin starred restaurant in the Loire, then became Assistant Head Sommelier of the Hotel Du Vin in Brighton, then Winchester, before becoming Head Sommelier of the Hotel Du Vin in Cambridge. In July 2009 he became Assistant Sommelier to Eric Zwiebel, Master Sommelier, at the five star Summer Lodge, a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Commenting on the event Clement says “The questions were very tough, very challenging. Also the other contestants were of an extremely high standard. The representative from the USA, who was placed second, he came third in their senior competition this year. And the person representing China, he is something of a celebrity back in his home country, so I was delighted to win against such fierce competition.”

Clement’s success is just one of several prestigious awards that have been showered on Summer Lodge this year. It was voted one of the best three hotels in the UK for food in the 2010 Condé Nast Traveller Gold List and winner of the 'Best British Cheeseboard 2010' by The British Cheese Awards.

Commenting on Clement’s success, General Manager of Summer Lodge, Charles Lotter says that “Everyone here at Summer Lodge is delighted for Clement – it’s great to see his hard work and study bringing him the success he deserves. It also underlines the fact that there are some very talented people on the team here and it is a great testament to Red Carnation’s unswerving dedication to helping every member of staff achieve their full potential. If we are to deliver on our promise to guests that “No request is too large, no detail too small” then we not only need to attract excellent staff but do everything we can to help them fulfill their ambitions.”

Hotel Designed by Thomas Hardy Hosts Literary Event

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:31:56 +0100

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, deep in Thomas Hardy's Wessex in the English Countryside, will host its second complimentary literary event for guests and locals on Saturday October 16th, 2010. Inspired by its remarkable literary connections, four writers, each working in different styles including travel writing, non-fiction, investigative journalism and advertising copywriting, will gather together for a full day and evening of literary discussion in this historic country house hotel which Thomas Hardy, in his profession as architect, helped design the plans for the hotel’s extension and redesign of the Drawing Room.

The four writers are:

Roger Collis is an actor, broadcaster, writer and bon viveur who has earned world-wide recognition as a business travel guru through his weekly column, 'The Frequent Traveler’, in the International Herald Tribune
Marcelle Bernstein is a much acclaimed novelist, non-fiction writer and journalist. Several of her novels, such as “Body & Soul” and “Sacred & Profane”, have become best-sellers as well as being turned into successful feature films and television dramas.
Eric Clark is a respected investigative journalist who has delved into the seedier aspects of crime and drugs. His gripping thrillers “Black Gambit” and “Chinese Burn” have both proved particularly popular.
Jim O’Connor is an advertising copywriter who has promoted everything from boutique hotels to fork lift trucks, Clover low fat spread to Palmolive soap, Cornish pasties to Australian rum.

This exciting event, available between 10.30am and 5.30pm on Saturday 16th October 2010 is complimentary to all in-house guests and non-residents who dine for lunch or stay for the “join the writers” evening dinner. The writers during their one hour sessions will talk in-depth about their specialist style providing aspiring writers or enthusiasts some insight, tips and tricks of the trade.

In the evening, guests can get to know the writers better and enjoy a very special three-course dinner prepared by Executive Chef Steve Titman in The Dining Room, the hotel’s award winning restaurant, recently named as one of the top three hotels in the UK for food in the Condé Nast Traveller's Gold List 2010. They can also sample the delights of the legendary cellar created by Sommelier Eric Zwiebel, rated amongst the best four in the world.

“The original idea was inspired by the hotel’s close associations with Thomas Hardy,” says General Manager, Charles Lotter. “He lived nearby and the hotel is at the very heart of the Wessex landscape he immortalised. The village pub, the Acorn Inn, features in his novel 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' as 'The Sow & Acorn'. What’s more, in his capacity as an architect, Hardy was asked to design the upper floor and the drawing room of Summer Lodge by the 6th Earl of Ilchester in 1893. So you could say the house is haunted by him, although I’ve never had the pleasure to make his acquaintance.”

The reality is far more good natured, with four very different writers swapping stories and explaining how they go about earning a living from words. “All of them are great company and terrific raconteurs,” continues Charles. “Everyone who attended the earlier event this Spring thoroughly enjoyed themselves, so we decided to run it again.”

The five-star Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house in the picturesque Dorset village of Evershot, immortalised by Thomas Hardy in his Wessex novels. This luxurious 24-bedroom hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - and award-winning restaurant and world class wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

One of Condé Nast Traveller's Best Hotels for food in the UK offers Feast and Forage Adventures

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:48:26 +0100

Lovers of the countryside and fine food will have a field day as they rediscover the ancient art of foraging at Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa. Guests will accompany celebrated food forager John Wright, star of TV show River Cottage, as he searches for edible delights around the gorgeous village of Evershot. The event offers guests and locals alike the opportunity to sample the foraged delights during a three-course dinner and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of this five-star hotel, recently voted one of the best three hotels in the UK for food on the 2010 Condé Nast Traveller Gold List.

There will be two foraging expeditions – the first focusing on the search of wild food on the Hedgerow Foray on Saturday 18th September; the other concentrating on the search for edible and interesting mushrooms on Saturday 30th October. With John leading the foray, absolutely no previous experience is require; he has led over 250 hedgerow, mushroom and seashore forays over the years. Each expedition includes a morning and afternoon session in search of wild delicacies including informative talks and tips by Wright. You will also explore the nearby chalk downlands and leafy woods surrounding the hotel.

In the evening, the Executive Chef Steven Titman - who also led the kitchen to win the ‘Taste of Dorset Best Restaurant Award in 2009’ - will prepare a mouth-watering three-course extravaganza at Summer Lodge featuring some of the specimens collected during the foray. Eric Zweibel, world-renowned Sommelier and 'Best Sommelier of The World Competition' runner-up, will also team up with Steven to give a short talk about wines most appropriate for the feast that waits.

Immerse yourselves in the country experience with the Adventures in Food package including:

Two nights in a beautifully appointed room or suite
Full English Breakfast daily
Complimentary guided forage with renowned forager/author John Wright
Three-course dinner prepared by our Chef Steven Titman with several of the ingredients we find during the day
Late check-out until 4pm on Sundays

Summer Lodge will also invite hotel residents staying on Friday or Saturday night over the event dates to join the food foray with the hotel's compliments.

John comments, "Foraging for your food is a joyful enterprise, but it is in the nature of such things that sometimes one's prey will not co-operate. The weather may have been too dry or too cold and the fungi may be keeping their heads down. I have chosen the date to give us the very best chance and I think we should do well - my best guess is that we will find around 40 species including up to 10 edible ones."

The five-star Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house in the picturesque Dorset village of Evershot, immortalised by Thomas Hardy in his Wessex novels. This luxurious 24-bedroom hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - and award-winning restaurant and world class wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

The afternoon session will again start with a talk from John at 2.30pm. Then he'll take his merry band of foragers away from the downlands, into the woodlands. At 6.30pm everyone will gather in the hotel to examine all the different types of edible delights collected during the day. John will identify the species and discuss each in turn, before dinner is served in the conservatory.

Thomas Hardy's Ghost inspires writing weekend

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:23:22 +0000

Four very different writers will gather in a historic country house hotel, which may or may not be haunted by Thomas Hardy, for a weekend of literary discussion. Sounds like a good start for a whodunnit by Agatha Christie!

The idea, however, is far from bumping each other off (whilst leaving a host of fascinating clues, plausible motives, dodgy alibis and smoking red herrings). The purpose is to entertain and enlighten guests by sharing the secrets of their writing success.

"Summer Lodge has close associations with Thomas Hardy," explains General Manager Charles Lötter. "He lived nearby and the hotel is at the very heart of the Wessex landscape he immortalised. The village pub, the Acorn Inn is featured in his novel 'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' as 'The Sow & Acorn'. What's more, in his capacity as an architect, Hardy was asked to design the upper floor and the drawing room of Summer Lodge by the 6th Earl of Ilchester in 1893. So you could say the house is haunted by him - although I've yet to bump into him myself".

This gave the team at Red Carnation Hotels, the luxury collection of five and four-star family-run boutique hotels that owns Summer Lodge, the idea for the Writers' Weekend. Guests will have the opportunity to learn the tricks of the trade from four very different practitioners.

Roger Collis is an actor, broadcaster, writer and master raconteur who has earned world-wide recognition as a business travel guru through his weekly column, 'The Frequent Traveler,' in the International Herald Tribune

Marcelle Bernstein is a much acclaimed novelist, nonfiction writer and journalist. Several of her novels, such as "Body & Soul" and "Sacred & Profane", are best-sellers and were made into into successful feature films and television dramas.

Eric Clark is a respected investigative journalist who has delved into the seedier aspects of crime and drugs. His gripping thrillers "Black Gambit" and "Chinese Burn" have proven particularly popular.

Jim O'Connor is an advertising copywriter who has promoted everything from boutique hotels to fork lift trucks, Clover Low Fat Spread to Palmolive Soap, Cornish Pasties to Australian rum.

The two-night Writers' Weekend package, starting on 23rd April 2010, includes:

Two nights accommodation in a Classic Double Room
Full English Breakfast daily
Welcome Champagne and Canapés
Attendance at three Writer Workshop sessions over two days
Three-course dinner on the Saturday evening
Teas and coffees during workshop sessions
Complimentary signed-copy of a book by Eric or Marcelle

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house in the picturesque Dorset village. This luxurious 24-bedroom five star hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world-class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - and an award-winning restaurant and extensive wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Gourmet Cookery Demonstrations at Summer Lodge

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:33:16 +0000

The five-star Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa has just announced a series of cookery demonstrations conducted by award winning Executive Chef Steven Titman. Guests who've tasted his wonderful creations will now have the opportunity to serve some of his impressive signature dishes in their own home.

His menus not only meet and exceed the exacting requirements of the Relais & Châteaux's gastronomic standards - Summer Lodge has just been named in the recently announced Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2010, one of the best three hotels in the UK for food. The listing for Summer Lodge praises Steven for producing "... fine-tuned classic English cuisine using local produce: Dorset lamb, pan-seared sole, pot-roasted guinea fowl, and his signature dish, shepherd's pie." Shortly before this, Summer Lodge was also named Best Restaurant in Dorset at the Taste of Dorset Awards 2009.

Following on from this success Steven will be hosting three cookery demonstrations, on the 20th January, 24th February and 24th March, where he'll share some of his culinary secrets. He'll show guests how he uses local produce, such as Lyme Bay scallops and Dorset lamb, as well as vegetables and herbs grown in the kitchen garden, to create some of his most popular signature dishes. He comments, "There can be few places in England with such an enormous variety of delicious food so readily available from local farmers, fishermen, game keepers and cheese makers."

Steven explains that the demonstrations will be "... almost like a 'chefs table' concept, but guests will be dining in the restaurant. Each menu is a surprise, and focuses on ingredients currently in season, but guests can advise me in advance of their particular preferences and dietary concerns." Guests have a choice - they can attend a two-and-a-half-hour morning demonstration followed by apéritifs and a three-course lunch with wine, coffee and petit fours, or they can choose the residential package. The latter includes all of the elements above plus one night's accommodation the night before the demonstration, Full English Breakfast the next morning and use of the hotel's gym and spa.

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house and is in the gorgeous village of Evershot in Dorset. This luxurious 24-bedroom five-star hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - and award-winning restaurant and extensive wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, and Spa was recent voted "Most Outstanding Service" in the Condé Nast Johansens Annual Awards for Excellence, UK and Ireland and is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Summer Lodge Voted one of the Best Hotels For Food on the latest Condé Nast Traveller Gold List

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:48:32 +0000

The five-star Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa was named one of the best three hotels in the UK for food in the 2010 Condé Nast Traveller Gold List.

The Gold List, described by Condé Nast Traveller as, ". . . our ultimate guide to the world's best hotels. . .", is just that - highly selective. It picks the very best three hotels, across six regions of the globe, under the headings of service, location, food, rooms, leisure facilities and ambience & design.

The listing for Summer Lodge praises Executive Chef Steven Titman for producing, ". . .fine-tuned classic English cuisine using local produce: Dorset lamb, pan-seared sole, pot-roasted guinea fowl, and his signature dish, shepherd's pie." And adds, ". . .the wine list, by sommelier Eric Zweibel, is excellent."

Steven works very closely with local producers to find the very best the region has to offer, commenting, "Over and above the quality of the foods we are buying, we are interested in their provenance. There can be few places in England with such an enormous variety of delicious food so readily available from local farmers, fishermen, game keepers and cheese makers."

Charles Lotter, General Manager at Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, adds, "Steven is absolutely passionate about the menus he prepares, and guests are hugely complimentary. This recognition is nothing more than he deserves and will come as no surprise to his loyal fans."

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house and is in the gorgeous village of Evershot in Dorset. This luxurious 24-bedroom five-star hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - an award-winning restaurant and extensive wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa was recently voted "Most Outstanding Service" in the Condé Nast Johansens Annual Awards for Excellence, UK and Ireland and is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Legendary Wines at Summer Lodge - New Season

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:07:40 +0000

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa has just announced its latest programme of wine dinners - hot on the heels of being named to the exclusive Condé Nast Traveller Gold List 2010 as one of the best three hotels in the UK for food.

The Condé Nast listing praises Executive Chef Steven Titman for producing "... fine-tuned classic English cuisine using local produce: Dorset lamb, pan-seared sole, pot-roasted guinea fowl, and his signature dish, shepherd's pie." Shortly before this, Summer Lodge was also named Best Restaurant in Dorset at the Taste of Dorset Awards 2009.

Steve has teamed up with Cellar Master Eric Zwiebel, recognised as one of the four best Sommeliers in the world, to make a superb combination - these special wine evenings will provide a series of extraordinarily enjoyable experiences that draw connoisseurs of fine wine and exceptional cuisine from far and wide.

Focusing on a selected house or style, with a guest speaker to inform and entertain diners, each evening begins at 7.00 pm with an introduction to the particular wines. The dinners include a delicious four-course menu specially created by Steven Titman to complement the five different wines (including apéritifs) showcased during the evening.

2 March 2010 - Mochel, Alsace, France ~ £90 per person
Director of Vine Trail, Nick Brookes, will be presenting a range of wines from one of Alsace's leading Domaines, Domaine Frédéric Mochel.

1 June 2010 - Moët, Champagne, France ~ £110 per person
During the reign of Louis XV the clientele included nobles, aristocrats and the King's favourite mistress, Madame de Pompadour. In 1792 the grandson of the founder Jean-Rémy Moët expanded the business, buying the vineyards of the Abbey of Hautvillers, where Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon perfected double-fermentation for creating Champagne.

3 August 2010 - 5 Sommeliers ~ £115 per person (black tie)
A firm favourite for the last five years, this is an evening of fun and laughter, learning and competition. Hosted by Eric and a team of his friends, some of whom are among the best sommeliers in the country, the wines featured vary from the traditionally famous, to the new and innovative. Early booking advised!

5 October 2010 - Delas, Rhone Valley, France ~ £90 per person
Founded in 1835, Delas Fréres controls vineyards in all of the major Rhône appellations. Delas Frères wines have won several awards in recent years, including three Gold medals for their Saint Joseph Tournon, Hermitage Marquise de la Tourette and Côte Rotie Seigneur de Maugiron at the International Wine Challenge 2005.

The hotel offers a special accommodation package, including one night in a Superior room, the full wine dinner for two and Full English Breakfast the next morning.

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house and is in the picturesque Dorset village of Evershot. This luxurious 24-bedroom five-star hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world-class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - an award-winning restaurant and an extensive wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

Summer Lodge Voted Number One For Most Outstanding Service

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:17:20 +0000

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, tucked away in the heart of Thomas Hardy's Wessex, has just won the award for "Most Outstanding Service" in the Condé Nast Johansens Annual Awards for Excellence, UK and Ireland.

The award was presented on the 9th of November at Johansens 28th Annual Awards Dinner and the launch of their 2010 guides at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in Knightsbridge, London.

Condé Nast Johansens remains the most comprehensive illustrated reference to annually inspected, independently owned hotels, and merely getting into the guides is an achievement in itself. The dedicated and highly trained Inspectors only admit about one in ten properties to the finished publication - the final selection represents, quite simply, the crème de la crème of accommodation for independent travellers.

The Inspectors describe Summer Lodge in the following glowing terms, "Set in four acres amid picturesque Dorsetshire countryside in the pretty village of Evershot, this charming twenty-four-bedroom Relais and Châteaux property ranks amongst the finest country house hotels in England."

The awards themselves are based on responses from guest nomination forms, guest survey reports, and the Regional Inspector reports drawn from the luxury hotels featured in the most recent guides.

Charles Lotter, General Manager of Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, comments, "I'm delighted to receive this prestigious award on behalf of the great team here. They work tirelessly to make guests feel truly at home and find extra ways to exceed our guests' expectations."

Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa, set in four acres of perfectly maintained gardens, is the epitome of the English country house in the picturesque Dorset village. This luxurious 24-bedroom five star hotel has swiftly earned a reputation as one of England's finest country house hotels. With a world class spa - including indoor heated pool and rejuvenating body and beauty treatments - and an award-winning restaurant and extensive wine list created by one of the world's best sommeliers, this hotel is the perfect short break getaway. Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact Arnelle Kendall: USA: (561) 659-2174; UK: 0791 770 8666; email: akendall@rchmail.com