Summer 2007 Newsletter

NEW HEAD CHEF HAS ARRIVED!

Sion Harrison and his partner Nicola Dobson have joined the team from the award winning 'the olive tree' in Penarth, South Wales. I feel that I have finally found the right Head Chef to take the business and the standard of food in the direction The Langton Arms needs to go to survive in this ever changing gastronomic industry. Exciting times ahead for our food and our menus. Sion joined us late July and has already made his mark on the stables restaurant and has redeveloped the menus to bring all areas of The Langton Arms together. He has also been busy developing a new team to support him in the kitchen and I'm really pleased that Steve Lillington has rejoined the team after a four year term of service in the Army.

Already with Sion at the helm we have had an excellent review by Ray Neil from Compass magazine who has described The Langton Arms as "a must for lovers of real English food, the Stables restaurant is an absolute treasure". Sion also shares with myself a passion for using local fresh produce wherever possible to carry on the tradition at The Langton Arms for supporting local farmers and businesses and continuing our "field to fork" ethos!

With the new smoking ban in place we have decided to extend the award winning Stables restaurant into the bar area and have had planning permission granted. This will involve a re-development of the front bar and menu’s at the end of the summer. We will also be planning our Christmas menus over the next few weeks so please book early to avoid disappointment!

For the last six years, The Langton Arms has been at the forefront of supporting local producers and suppliers and we have achieved excellent results at the Taste Of The West awards. Four years on, our menu contains mainly ingredients from Dorset not the south west, an achievement that we are very proud of. Proving to be a great success is using Tarrant Valley beef that is growing in reputation. The beef is sourced from three farms, Sarah Worral’s herd at Tarrant Launceston, the Belbin’s herd from Home Farm Tarrant Gunville and my husband James’ herd at Tarrant Rawston.

In April we successfully hosted a Dorset food show

in conjunction with Roberts Food Services of Weymouth. Local producers and suppliers showcased their products to more than 200 chefs, catering managers and restaurateurs. The event was also attended by Chef Mike Feasey, a supporter of Dorset foods who gave a demonstration using Dorset produce. Henry Cossins was contacted by River Cottage regarding his Bantam eggs.

For the second year running

The Langton Arms has won the Gold award in the ‘Dining Pub in Dorset’ category at the Taste Of The West awards. This is excellent news for The Langton Arms and all its suppliers.

Every Monday evening there is a modern jive dance class

held in the function room between 7.30pm and 10.00pm.
On the second Tuesday of every month, the local vintage car club meet here.

Taddlestones

a fabulous cottage in Tarrant Monkton, owned by the Langton Arms.
Taddlestones is available to rent at any time of the year for long weekends, mid-week breaks or a full weeks holiday. Situated just behind The Langton Arms, the cottage can sleep up to 10 people. Please look at our website or ask a member of staff for further details.
www.thelangtonarms.co.uk/Taddlestones.htm

Thank you for your custom
Barbara Cossins