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Congratulations to the team at ABode Manchester for its success in the 2011 Sunday Times Travel Magazine Reader Awards. ABode Manchester was runner-up in the UK City Hotel category.

The results of The Sunday Times Travel Magazine Readers' Awards 2011 were announced last Monday, November 28th, at London's glamorous hotel-of-the-moment, the St Pancras Renaissance.

Readers of The Sunday Times Travel Magazine voted in their thousands to reward the hotels, airlines, spas, websites, destinations and travel companies they rated most highly, with more than 300 potential winners nominated across 27 categories. The three most popular choices in each category received their awards at the ceremony, with the 27 category winners taking home some of the most highly-coveted trophies in the travel industry.

Presenting the awards, Sunday Times Travel Magazine editor, Ed Grenby, said: "Our readers are well-travelled, worldly, extremely knowledgeable (and, without exception, very good-looking). They are exactly the kind of people from whom you'd like to receive an award -- so my hearty congratulations to all our winners and runners-up."

For the full list of winners, see the January issue of the award-winning Sunday Times Travel Magazine, on sale from all good newsagents and supermarkets now, priced £3.70.

We are delighted to announce that the Michael Caines Restauant at ABode Manchester has scooped the coveted ‘Tourism Restaurant of the Year’ award at the 2011 Manchester Tourism Awards. The judges praised the grazing menu dishes and the presentation of the food. They also commented that the service, décor and furnishings were all superb. They added that Michael Caines’ reputation is second to none, and that he is a great name to be associated with dining in Manchester. The annual ceremony, which celebrates and recognises the city’s tourism industry, took place on Friday 25 September at The Lowry Hotel.

For a full list of winners from Manchester Tourism Awards visit http://www.manchestertourismawards.com/winners
 

ABode Manchester has entered a team of runners to take part in this years BUPA Great Manchester Run on May 15th. Tackling the 10K course will be Nick Halliday, ABode's Managing Director, Ros Young, head of Human Resources, and Christophe Hesbert, General Manager of ABode Manchester along with ABode Manchester employees Laura Morgan, Sean McFall, Mark Rossi, Brian Saucer, Andrea Hamer, Danielle Abdul and Pari Sheikholeslami.

The ABode Manchester team are all running in support of Mustard Tree, the Manchester based charity that works with the homeless across Greater Manchester. Mustard Tree runs a range of projects, all with the aim of providing support and working towards long-term solutions for the homeless. Some projects are focused on improving skills, some on encouraging social interaction and others try to tackle some of the personal root causes.

Says Ros Young, "We wanted to start the year by doing something good for our community and decided to work with a charity that was local and that wants to make a difference to those that they help."

ABode's support for the Mustard Tree charity doesn't just stop at the run. ABode is also devoting time to mentor individuals, provide placements, help serve at the soup kitchen, hold a charity dinner, and set up a clothes box in the staff room to recycle unwanted items.

To support the ABode Manchester team and Mustard Tree please donate through Just Giving:

http://www.justgiving.com/Abodehotels

For further information contact Christophe Hesbert GeneralManagerManchester@abodehotels.co.uk or telephone 0161 247 7744

 

Inspired by its illustrious alumnus Michael Caines MBE, Exeter College is launching the Michael Caines Academy with the aim to nurture the region's future generation of talented restaurateurs, chefs, restaurant managers, waiters and front-of-house.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young people seeking a career in hospitality at whatever level. With Michael directly involved, there will be high profile experiences, challenging practical and theoretical workshops, and masterclasses from the very best in the industry.

The aim is to drive and inspire students of the Michael Caines Academy to achieve the highest level of excellence in all aspects of the hospitality industry.

Interested? To find out more and apply please email  michaelcainesacademy@exe-coll.ac.uk or telephone 01392 205420

 

The ABode Hotel Group was awarded ‘Best Small Business' by The Shine Awards at its annual awards ceremony that took place on 31st March 2011 in London.

The Shine Awards, in collaboration with People 1st, the hospitality travel and tourism sector skills council, is an innovative and dynamic organisation which recognises and celebrates companies and individuals who achieve and sustain excellence in hospitality, leisure and tourism.

The awards ceremony, which took place at The Savoy, London was attended by some of the most senior representatives of the British Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry and was hosted by TV personality Gaby Roslin.

Group HR Manager, Ros Young collected the award on behalf of ABode, which was shortlisted for the category of ‘Best Small Business' alongside Firmdale Hotels. Businesses which had demonstrated an extraordinary contribution to the industry, commitment to their businesses and to their members of staff were celebrated.

Commenting on the award, Managing Director of Abode Hotel Group, Nick Halliday said, "We are very honoured to receive such recognition, it's testament to the hard work and dedication of everybody within the business. I know that I speak on behalf of Andrew Brownsword and Michael Caines when I say we're extremely proud."

Hot on the heels of the Oscars, a touch of Hollywood graced Padstow as the South West's foodie elite gathered for the official unveiling of the Trencherman's Guide 2011/2012.

VIP guests were chauffeured to Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant before rubbing shoulders with the region's leading chefs, including Rick himself, Michael Caines, Nathan Outlaw, Simon Hulstone and the Sanchez-Iglesias brothers. A stunning 5-course lunch followed, with Rick then painting a picture of the South West's unique dining scene and the importance of the Guide to the industry.

Now in its 19th year, the Guide is the holy grail for anyone seeking South West dining at its best, only including those dining establishments achieving consistently high ratings across top international publications such as The Michelin Guide, The Good Food Guide and the AA Restaurant Guide. Having met the strict criteria set by a panel of leading food and drink experts, establishments are then formally invited to be part of this prestigious annual food and drink guide. All establishments in the guide from across the South West are listed in editors' notes below.

The introduction to this year's Guide is by Daily Telegraph and Stella magazine food critic
Zoe Williams, who says, ‘See this year's Trencherman's Guide as your trusty satnav: utterly accurate and bang up to date. And of course, it has the added advantage of being mouthwateringly evocative on every page.'

New this year will be a selection of dynamic innovations and, for the first time ever, more than 100 of the region's finest dining and restaurants with rooms will be featured. As Director Jo Rees explains, "The Trencherman's Guide has long been the most important guide to dining in the South West, and this year it has been taken to another level, featuring 101 restaurants from across the South West, as compared with last year's 55 restaurants, including of a new section of Rising Stars."

A concept developed with Michelin starred chef Michael Caines, the Rising Stars are those businesses not yet represented in guides such as The Good Food Guide but are worthy of inclusion in the Trencherman's Guide, based on their excellent offering for foodies. The guide has also undergone a facelift, with a smart new perfect bound format and beautiful cover artwork by South West artist Liz Clayton. The artwork will be auctioned for charity Action Against Hunger at the launch.

Available through the featured dining and restaurants with rooms as well as other select high profile outlets, one of the most exciting innovations is a brand new website - www.trenchermans-guide.com. Unveiled today, the site lists all 101 establishments and will feature ongoing news and dining offers that will help South West visitors plan their stay, at the same time giving those living here a chance to discover the quality food and drink offerings right on their doorstep. A digital version of the Guide will also take centre stage on the website.

Of the Trencherman's Guide, Rick Stein said "Since Kit Chapman of the Castle Hotel in Taunton and Paul Henderson who started Gidleigh Park in Chagford, Devon, hit on the startlingly simple idea of creating a local guide which only included establishments recommended in all the best food guides, the Trencherman's Guide has been a completely reliable recommendation."

"Every time I meet fellow hoteliers and restaurateurs in the guide, particularly at the Trencherman's Lunches, I'm conscious of the enormous amount of optimistic excitement there is about the great food in the area and the ever improving quality of it: from local line caught bass and pollack, through Cornish Blue cheese to fabulous meat and poultry, new wood fired sour dough bakeries, coffee importers and roasters, cider and Perry makers, wine, beer, fruit drinks, early spring vegetables and now even charcuterie to equal the best in France, Spain or Italy; the region is fizzing with great food and great places to eat it."

Yesterday' launch wouldn't have been the celebration it was without some exceptional Partners including Moet Hennessy, Audi and Growfair, while a selection of the region's best food and drink businesses are busily involved including sponsors Ashburton Cookery School, Darts Farm, The Devilled Egg Kitchen Academy, Feeding Your Imagination, Frobishers Juices and Hildon Water. Guests and chefs alike can also look forward to a wonderful lunchtime foodie experience thanks to Iber Flavours, Growfair, Premier Cheese, Matthew Stevens and Son and Origin Coffee.

24 February 2011. Grove, UK. The AT&T Williams team is pleased to announce a new partnership with Michael Caines for the 2011 Formula One season. The announcement was made today during the unveiling of the team's new racing livery and technical presentation of the FW33, after which guests were treated to a five course menu of Michael's signature dishes.

Michael Caines is one of Britain's most acclaimed chefs. He was named AA Chef's Chef of the Year in 2007 and awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to the hospitality industry. Michael is also Executive Chef at Gidleigh Park, the acclaimed and prestigious country house hotel on the edge of Dartmoor at Chagford, Devon, where he has earned his reputation - as well as two Michelin stars which he has retained for 12 years. Gidleigh Park was recently rated the number one restaurant in the UK in The Sunday Times/Hardens Guide Top 100 British Restaurants.

Of the new partnership, Michael Caines commented: "I am thrilled to be involved with the AT&T Williams team as an official partner and to help them develop their already high standards of hospitality. It is great to work with their chefs, Adam Dixon, Jon Smee and the team on the menus as well as with Jo Turley on front of house. It is a prestigious relationship and something we are very excited about and proud of. I am a petrolhead at heart and I'm passionate about Formula One. I have followed Williams over many years so for me this involvement is just brilliant."

Frank Williams said, "We are delighted to welcome Michael Caines as an Official Partner of the team. He has an outstanding reputation as one of Britain's most admired chefs and our relationship aims to bring his Michelin-stared food and hospitality to the team's motorhome facility over race weekends. We are very much looking forward to working with him over the coming months."

For further information contact Lisa Partridge, PA to Michael Caines or Vivienne Clore, agent to Michael Caines

For further information about AT&T Williams Click Here

Photo credit: Williams Cosworth FW33 Launch. Williams F1 Conference Centre, UK. 24th February 2011. Michael Caines and his team of chef's in kitchen preparing lunch. World Copyright: Glenn Dunbar/LAT Photographic.

Michael Caines at Abode Chester has celebrated yet another win, picking up the award for ‘Best Newcomer of the Year' at the annual Hi-Life Dining Awards.

The annual award ceremony was held at The Hilton, Manchester Deansgate Hotel, on Friday 28th January 2011. Presented by BBC North West Tonight's anchorman and news presenter Gordon Burns, guests enjoyed a Champagne reception followed by a four course dinner prepared by award-winning Manchester chef David Gale.

Celebrating Hi-Life restaurants and chefs throughout the UK and Ireland, the Hi-Life Dining Awards are considered the leading food and drink awards in the industry, with nominees and winners voted for by the dining public. Stars from the stage, screen and sports world attended to present eleven awards to some of the best restaurants and chefs in the UK and Ireland.

The Michael Caines Restaurant at ABode Chester was among three Cheshire venues to pick up awards on the night, with Pecks Restaurant in Congleton and Living Ventures Restaurant based in Knutsford also being recognised. 

Commenting on the win, Faye Kelly, General Manager of ABode Chester, said: "'We are proud and delighted to have won the Hi-Life ‘Best Newcomer of the Year' award. Michael Caines at Abode Chester has had a fantastic first year, also winning Cheshire Life ‘Restaurant of the Year 2010'."

Lisa Lund, Hi-Life's commercial director, said: "The calibre of entries this year has been exceptionally high with lots of new restaurant members of Hi-Life taking part. I would like to congratulate all winners and thank everyone for making this year's Hi-Life Dining Awards such a truly fantastic event."

For further information contact: Megan Davidson

megan megan@crimsonedge.co.uk
Crimson Edge Public Relations Ltd 
22 Northumberland Street 
South West Lane 
Edinburgh 
EH3 6JD 

Tel 0131 311 7050 


People 1st, the Sector Skills Council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism, has appointed 10 key figures from across the industry, including Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, to its member council.

Jillian MacLean, managing director of Drake and Morgan, and Mike Williams, group director of people and development at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin Hotels, were also among the list of new members.

Natalie Bickford, HR director for contract caterer Sodexo has been named vice-chair of the board of trustees. She joined People 1st in 2008 and is also chair of the Sector Skills Council's Women 1st initiative.

People 1st's chief executive, Brian Wisdom, welcomed the new members and added: "The new additions to our council of members bring a wealth of experience from across the visitor economy. I look forward to involving each of the new members in our work, and to listening to the expertise and guidance that they will bring."

Other new additions to the People 1st council of members are:

● Christian Armstrong - people and development director - Guoman and Thistle Hotels
● Karen Davies - HR director, Novus Leisure
● Sara Edwards - director of HR worldwide, Orient-Express Services
● Mike Greenacre - managing director, Co-operative Travel
● John McEwan - chief executive, Advantage Travel, who also joins the board of trustees
● Shelley Thomas - group people director, Gala Coral Group
● Alistair Telfer - club secretary, Oxford and Cambridge Club

The new members were introduced at People 1st's annual general meeting last week, where Minister for Welfare Reform Lord Freud attended to discuss how hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism employers could assist in getting unemployed people back into work.

A triple win for Gidleigh Park in The Sunday Times Food List and Hardens Britain's Top 100 Restaurants

Best Restaurant, Best Place to Stay and Best Wine List

Gidleigh Park together with The Bath Priory, also on the list of Britain's 100 top restaurants, is the flagship of the hotel group that owns ABode. Michael Caines is not only the two-star Michelin Executive Chef at Gidleigh Park as well as Executive Chef at The Bath Priory, he is of course in the Partner and Director in charge of all food and beverage at ABode hotels. So this wonderful accolade is a very personal and important award for ABode!

In the award survey, Gidleigh Park achieved the highest marks, scoring an impressive 9.86 out of 10. Coming in at number one, ahead of the likes of The Fat Duck, Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley and three Michelin-starred The Waterside Inn amongst others, this accolade is undoubtedly the highlight of MBE Executive Chef, Michael Caines and his team at Gidleigh Park this year. Gidleigh Park also came first in two further categories, Best Places to Stay and Wine Lists.

A totally unbiased survey, thousands of people chose to spend their own money and time to dine out and report back to The Sunday Times and Hardens to devise the first Food List. Diner's verdicts on Michael Caines's restaurant included 'flawless' cuisine, 'just gets better' at this luxurious but 'welcoming' Tudorbethan mansion; it's part of a 'wonderful' all-round experience, further boasted by the 'gorgeous' location, on the fringe of Dartmoor.

Says Michael Caines, 'We're ecstatic. Thank you to all the Harden's and Sunday Times readers who rated us so highly. Gidleigh Park has been my pride and joy ever since I was appointed chef in 1994. We've gone on to hold two Michelin stars for almost 12 years and my team has never taken their eye off ball; these awards mean a great deal to us and we feel like Christmas has come early! Special mentions must go to General Manager Sue Williams, Resident Manager Sue Kendall and Head Sommelier Edouard Oger who have helped to keep our standards so high in a warm and homely environment.'

Gidleigh Park is a stunning Tudor style country house hotel situated on the banks of the North Teign River in a magnificent 107 acre estate of woodlands and secluded gardens surrounded by Dartmoor National Park.

Additional accolades include:

Winner Top restaurant - Toptaple.com Top Restaurant Awards 2010
Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence Shortlisted in the Most Excellent Hotel Category 2010,
Gold in 'Hotel of the Year' category in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2009
Gold Winner, Hotel Of the Year - Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2009
Silver Green Tourism Award 2009
Michael Caines, Cateys Chef of the Year 2001