Thousands of foodies are being led by their nose and their taste buds to savour the delights of the Lake District
The Lake District has always attracted people who are drawn to its stunning scenery but a new generation of visitors are also being lured by the quality and diversity of the regional dishes it has to offer.
The Derwent Lodge Hotel near Bassenthwaite Lake has launched a ‘Taste of the Lakes’ menu which offers a gourmet five course meal with every ingredient sourced and supplied from the immediate area.
The dishes have been devised by proprietor Ray Blackburn and head chef Steve Dellon, who are both passionate about the quality and variety of Lake District produce and believe that far too many visitors are missing out on the culinary riches of the area. The duo are also very proud of their home-grown herbs that add the finishing flair to many of their dishes.
‘We have a wealth of wonderful home-grown food produced in the surrounding area and we think that savouring local fare should be one of the highlights for any visitor,” says Blackburn.
‘We buy everything we can locally from suppliers who are both our neighbours and our friends. Our free range eggs and turkeys come from Thomas and Sheila Wilson at Scales Farm in the village and they also provide us with all our seasonal vegetables.
We get fantastic organic Herdwick and Swaledale lamb locally just down the road from Julian Smith at the Game Shop in Keswick. Stephen Edmondson and his family at Buttermere Trout Farm supply us with our fish which we use in a wide selection of dishes,” says Blackburn.
‘The Lakes attract over 12 million visitors a year and we think they all should enjoy a real taste of the lakes and enjoy everything it has to offer. Chives or cheese, pork or pumpkins we grow it all here and it is all delicious,” says Blackburn.
‘If anyone is concerned about carbon footprints or food miles they can be rest-assured that everything on our ‘Taste of The Lakes’ menu comes from this area. It is produced locally, enjoyed locally and that’s exactly the way it should be,”.
The Derwent Lodge Hotel is in the village of Embleton, just off the A66 between the market towns of Cockermouth and Keswick. The hotel, situated between the towns of Keswick and Cockermouth, was originally an 18th century farmhouse that has now been beautifully renovated and extended. It has been family owned and run for 20 years and provides both en-suite accommodation as well as luxurious, individually designed apartments. The apartments sleep up to eight people so are ideal for large families or groups. The hotel has a renowned restaurant that provides a wide range of regional and international dishes and uses locally sourced produce whenever possible.
Prices start at £75 for single occupancy and £110 for a double. To find out more log on to the website at www.thederwentlodge.co.uk