Northern Irish hotel group take commitment to local produce to new level

Hastings Hotels, the leading Northern Irish hotel group, has taken its commitment to locally-sourced food to another level.....by growing some of the ingredients for its restaurants and cocktail bars.

The group has created its first herb garden at its five-star Culloden Estate and Spa Hotel, near Holywood in county Down.

The Culloden's chefs are now able to pick a range of culinary herbs daily to meet their needs for flavouring and garnishing and in the creation of aromatic oils and vinegars to complement the seasonal dishes served in its main restaurant. Bar staff use some of the herbs for the cocktails in the new cocktail lounge.

Guests are also free to visit the herb Garden at any time, but a stroll at dusk or in the early morning will awaken the senses as the fragrant herb aromas fill the air.

The group, which has five hotels in Northern Ireland, has a longstanding commitment to source local products, mostly from artisan suppliers, for all its restaurants.

Howard Hastings, chief executive, commenting on the new development says, "We are dedicated to using the freshest local produce and you can't get any fresher or more local than growing herbs in our own garden!."

Our picture shows Paul McKnight, executive head chef at the Culloden Estate and Spa, harvesting a selection of herbs from the new herb garden located in the estate of the 5-star hotel. He is pictured with Joanne Harvey, marketing manager.