Glenapp Castle awarded prestigious AA accolade

Mon, 03 Oct 2011

Glenapp Castle Hotel’s restaurant in Ayrshire has been acknowledged as one of the UK’s best fine-dining establishments in the 2012 AA Guide.

The multi award-winning luxury 5-star Relais & Châteaux Castle hotel has been awarded four AA Rosettes, making it one of only a handful of exceptional restaurants in the country to hold the coveted award.

To qualify for the prestigious commendation, a restaurant’s food has to be outstanding and demand national recognition. The establishment has to show ambition and passion along with demonstrating excellence and mastery in their cuisine.

Simon Numphud, AA Hotel Services manager, explained: “We are very impressed with the quality of this year’s winners, who have demonstrated intense ambition and a passion for excellence, as well as superb technical skills and innovative menus.”

The honour is the latest in a number of accolades to be presented to the hotel over the last four years since the appointment of Head Chef Adam Stokes in 2008. Among the numerous awards, the restaurant has been awarded the EatScotland Gold Award this year along with Restaurant of the Year 2011 in the prestigious Catering in Scotland (CIS) Excellence Awards.

On hearing the news of his restaurant’s latest commendation, Stokes said: “I am absolutely delighted to be awarded four AA Rosettes. Over the last four years at Glenapp Castle, the food has progressed and developed into a modern, stylish culinary journey embracing traditional food marriages with inventive twists.”

Fay Cowan, who runs Glenapp Castle alongside her husband Graham, added: “We’re delighted that Adam and his team have received this tremendous recognition for the excellence of their food and service in our fine dining restaurant. Achieving four AA Rosettes is no small feat and is the culmination of a series of detailed inspections over a number of years.”

Glenapp Castle Hotel is situated in Ballantrae in Ayrshire. Its restaurant serves a six course gourmet menu in their elegant dining room each evening with dishes featuring delectable seasonal produce such as scallops, grouse and hare. The restaurant is open to non-residents for lunch and dinner by prior reservation.