Rothay Manor, a boutique hotel in the Lake District, has announced two new key appointments, with Aaron Lawrence joining as head chef, alongside award-winning restaurant manager Christopher McCaughran.
Lawrence joins from the Samling Hotel – a venue that earned a Michelin star and four AA Rosettes during his tenure as sous chef.
Lawrence's new evening à la carte menu champions regional artisans and seasonal produce. Signature dishes include pan-roasted halibut with leeks, Garganelli pasta and mussels mariniere. Alongside the menu, the team at Rothay Manor has developed an extensive new wine list and cocktail offering.
The chef has also introduced a new all-day dining menu, afternoon tea and a selection of room-service dishes.
'Seasonality is how it should be,' says Lawrence. 'We all change with the seasons and therefore crave seasonal produce. There's nothing nicer than a sweet, ripe British tomato in early June, or the Lyth Valley plums in September, and it's important that our guests are inspired by these seasonal ingredients too.'
Rothay Manor also welcomes McCaughran, a restaurant manager with over two decades of industry experience.
Having started his career at the three-Michelin-starred Hotel Des Tours Lille France, McCaughtan joins with a wealth of local knowledge, having also held positions as operations manager at Holland Hall Hotel in Lancashire and F&B manager at the five-star Hotel Gotham in Manchester.
The new team additions sit within the hotel's senior team, including long-standing general manager Peter Sinclair, and coincide with the unveiling of a redesign of the venue's dining spaces, creating a more relaxed experience.
The refresh follows the interior investment that owners Jamie and Jenna Shail have implemented in recent years, including the eight new pavilion bedrooms.
'We're thrilled to welcome Aaron and Chris to Rothay Manor,' says Jamie Shail. 'Their arrival represents an exciting new chapter in our history. We're confident their enthusiasm and experience will continue to deliver excellent, seasonal food and a brilliant atmosphere for which Rothay Manor is known for.'
