The family-owned Lake District hotel group completed an exhaustive months-long tasting marathon, sampling more than 60 dishes to curate the perfect winter menus across their six properties.
The Hope and Graves family – directors Kit and Charles Graves with daughter Dani Hope, and on the odd occasion, Dani's children Harry and Ellie – personally tested every dish, with the youngest members of the team proving particularly exacting judges when it came to the seasonal afternoon tea selection.
"We tried sixteen different cakes before the children finally gave four of them the thumbs up," said Dani Hope, director at Lake District Hotels. "They took their role very seriously. I think we've raised some rather discerning food critics."
The rigorous selection process has resulted in a collection of menus celebrating bold winter flavours, from Braised Ox Cheek Cottage Pie at Inn on the Square to Roasted Duck with Cherry and Red Wine Sauce at the Borrowdale Hotel, and a classic Twice-Baked Cheddar Soufflé at Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa.
Other highlights include Herdwick Lamb Shoulder Suet Pudding at the Skiddaw Hotel, Cider-Braised Ham Hock Terrine at the Kings Arms in Keswick, and rum-roasted bananas paired with pecan pie at Inn on the Lake.
Afternoon Tea Gets Winter Treatment
Two of the hotels – Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa and Inn on the Lake – have launched a Winter Afternoon Tea featuring the family's final four cake selections, including hazelnut Rocher with 24ct gold leaf and Granny Smith apple cheesecake.
Savoury offerings include pork, blue cheese and caramelised onion sausage rolls and wild mushroom, truffle and Parmesan quiche. The afternoon tea must be pre-booked and can be enhanced with fizz or handcrafted cocktails.
"I love putting together our winter menus with our chefs," said Dani. "These are some of the cosiest yet, proper comfort food that's just right for slowing down and enjoying the season."
The winter menu launch signals the start of the festive season for the family owned hotel collection, with all six hotels preparing for Christmas transformations, seasonal dining events and family celebrations in the coming weeks.
Full menus available at www.lakedistricthotels.net/eat-and-drink