JUNE SPECIAL EVENTS

Northcote’s full schedule of special events will be released at the end of this month. We have two fantastic opportunities to visit Northcote in June, bookings are now being taken for the following special events:

Wednesday 7th June - Concha y Toro wines with Christian Lopez

Established over 120 years ago, Vina Concha y Toro now cultivates over 16,000 acres of the finest wine producing vineyards in Chile and Argentina... giving the company access to the highest quality grape supplies.

This special evening, hosted by Christian Lopez, is the perfect opportunity to discover some of their more impressive achievements, spanning everything from wines in the popular premium niche up to the extraordinary wines of the ultra premium class... like those recently developed following the company’s unprecedented strategic alliance with Baron Philippe de Rothschild. These are wines full of passion, full of character, and now establishing themselves among the world’s fastest growing favourites.

7.30pm for 8.00pm

Aperitif chosen by the wine speaker of the evening served with a selection of canapés

4-course dinner with tutored tasting of 6 wines, including freshly ground coffee

Conclusion of the evening is approximately 11.30pm

Price £80.00 per person
Fully Inclusive of all wines

To make a booking please contact

Maureen Bardell Tel: 01254 240555
e-mail maureen@northcotemanor.com

All bookings to be confirmed in writing,
with full payment 30 days prior to the event.

NEW SUMMER MENU AT THE THREE FISHES

Summer has now arrived at The Three Fishes, hanging baskets and patio furniture are in place to enjoy dining whilst looking over some of the most wonderful views of the Ribble Valley, Nigel has developed some great new dishes to feature on this summer’s menu – all we need now is for the sun to shine!

Here is a sample of the new dishes which will be available from next Tuesday 23^rd May, to view the full menu click here

We thank all of you who have completed the comments card, which helps us to maintain and improve our standards, along with giving Nigel ideas for developing some great British and Lancashire dishes.

Wines, Cocktails & Beers

Craig and Andy have been having a wonderful time tasting some new wines with Miles Corish of Bowland Vintners and Julian Kaye of The Wright Wine Company, some recommendations from Craig to try on your next visit

• Shiraz, Porter Mill Station, South Africa
  A knock out shiraz from South Africa. Deep coloured with intense plums, spice and blackberries.

• Gewurztraminer Vinas del Vero, Spain
  Quite simply the best Gewurzt we have found outside Alsace. Turkish delight and lychee flavours are not overblown, resulting in an elegant and delicately flavoured wine.

• Cabernet Merlot, Brocks Reef, Mount Benson, Australia
  From one of the most exciting new regions in Australia this Cabernet merlot combines intense blackcurrants and violets with an ultra smooth long finish.

Andy Morris will also be introducing some new beers, ciders and cocktails for the Summer –

Light beers and ciders

• Blanches de Honellees Wheat Beer
• Western Organic Ciders
• Anchor Steam Beer
• Budvar

Full Bodied beers

• Rochefort 8 Trappest beer
• St Bernadus 6 Beer

Fruit Beer

• Morte Subile Kriek (Cherry)
• Timmermans Famboise (Raspberry)

Summer Cocktails

• Traditional Pimms Fruit Punch
• Ginger Beer Punch – Ginger Beer Grand Marnier and Fresh Mint
• Strawberries and Cream – Stawberry Vodka and Mawsons Cream Soda

And finally… this quarter’s prize winner is…

Mrs Craig of Cheshire who will be invited to return to the Three Fishes for a complimentary meal to the value of £100.

Andy and the team at The Fishes look forward to welcoming you to some fabulous Summer days at The Fishes

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THE NORTHCOTE OFFSITE TEAM HOSTS AN EVENT TO WELCOME THE US SECRETARY OF STATE, CONDOLEEZA RICE

Martin Jones and his team at Ewood Park rose to the occasion when they provided all the hospitality and catering for the visit of the most powerful woman in the world last month. Mr Jack Straw invited his American counterpart to the North West, and in particular to his home constituency and to Blackburn Rovers Football Club, where he could show off his football team and give her Lancashire Hotpot.

The team had the task of working alongside Chatham House to deliver facilities for up to 200 people for a televised lecture broadcast throughout the world, which was held in the Premier Suite followed by lunch for the guests in the Pennants suite and a private lunch in the Private Director’s Guest Lounge.

We showcased a true Lancashire menu with our local produce and everyone enjoyed:

Warm Morecambe Bay Shrimps, Blade Mace Butter, Toasted Muffin
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Heather Reared Bowland Lamb Lancashire Hotpot, Pickled Red Cabbage
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A Lancashire Cheese Board

It was a privilege for Northcote Offsite to support Blackburn Rovers and deliver this first class event.

We also send our congratulations to Mark Hughes and the team in their achievement of finishing 6th in the Premiership and therefore an entry into the UEFA Cup.

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GASTRONOMY AL FRESCO

Special Occasion? need brilliant hospitality – contact Martin Jones – 01254 222244

Martin and his team are professionals in the art of hospitality, event planning and menu design

• Menus – Quality produce and passionate production
• Cocktail Parties – Stunning canapés
• Undercover – perfect marquee events executed with style
• The Whole Story – Total event management, theme and design

Thinking of a summer celebration – eating al fresco

There is nothing better than the famous Northcote Barbecue, we can create fabulous dishes served from enormous Weber kettle BBQ’s, providing dramatic and colourful presentation for any size of event – here is gastronomy al fresco!

Fabulous dishes, such as fillet of Salmon, lightly cured and barbecued on cedar planks, whole Goosnargh chicken infused with lemon, garlic and tarragon, Herb Crusted best end of Bowland lamb and truly amazing split grilled Scottish Lobster with tarragon Butter, to mention a few.

For more information contact Martin or click to view the web site

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RECENT AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Nigel Wins – The Lifetime Achievement Award at the Northern Hospitality Awards 2006

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has consistently been an inspiration within the region, supporting and benefiting every level of the industry through their own success. Nigel was extremely proud and honoured to receive this award at the inaugural Northern Hospitality Awards at the Lowery Hotel.

Over the years Nigel has won countless plaudits which has created an environment here at the Northcote group of companies which allows other to excel as well, Lisa Allen was also shortlisted as “Best Chef” The Three Fishes shortlisted as “Newcomer” which judges commented is a testament to the continued levels of success he promotes within his team.

Judge’s further comments “A true ambassador for the industry, all of Nigel’s success and hard-won reputation has been utilised to promote an inspirational vision of Northern Hospitality”

Nigel’s first concern of receiving a lifetime achievement award was had he reached a certain age for receiving this! But joking apart he was honoured to be chosen for this title and commented how great it was to see the development of the Northern Hospitality Awards giving individuals and operators in the region an opportunity to be recognised for excellence and be an inspiration to others.

Lisa Allen – Head Chef finalist of The Roux Scholarship 2006

Lisa Allen sent her entry for the world famous Roux scholarship which is the UK’s leading competition for young chefs in January and earned a rightful place as one of the finalists at the cook off at London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on...

The six finalists were briefed by judges and asked to cook a classic Ecoffier dish. Under the watchful gaze of the judges the six finalists chopped, sliced and diced. Competition was fierce and tensions ran high as competitors were faced with the difficult challenge of achieving flavoursome, well-cooked and aesthetically pleasing dishes under the two hour constraint… and for a recipe they were given just 45 minutes before the start of the cook off. The judges included four members of the Roux family, Gary Rhodes, Brian Turner, Heston Blumenthal, David Nicholls and Andrew Fairlie.

“The standard was the highest I had seen for many years and competition extremely intense.” commented Michel Roux

On this occasion Lisa did not walk away with the coveted title, but we were so proud of her performance and judges confirmed the high standard she delivered gave Praven Sharma, Courthouse Hotel Kempinski in London a run for his money!

Peter Hinchcliffe, Trainee Manager – Awarded distinction in the Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence

Since 1983 the Annual Awards of Excellence is one of the Academy’s most important education and training initiatives it recognises and rewards the talents and ambition of young chefs and waiters between the ages of 20 – 26.

Peter, who is in his third year of Northcote’s Management Training Scheme was firstly successful in the written exam and interview, then went through to wait on a table of two at Gleneagles Hotel under the watchful eye of a team of judges. Waiters are tested on their knowledge of everything from hygiene to difficult customers, menus, food and wine matching, recommendations for different tastes and of course the correct way to serve a variety of dishes.

Good basic skills are seen as the essential cement with which young ambitious members of our industry can build rewarding careers, while more taxing tasks help to identify the best cooks and waiters who will often become leaders of the industry tomorrow.

Nigel and Craig are delighted that Peter was awarded the accreditation of “Distinction” Craig comments “Peter is proving himself on our training scheme and within the industry through these awards that if he continues he has a strong future ahead of him” Peter will attend the Annual Awards Dinner at The Savoy London in recognition by The Academy for all his hard work.

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Northcote Manor
Northcote Road, Langho, Blackburn, Lancs
BB6 8BE
Tel: 01254 240555 Fax: 01254 246568
E-mail:maureen@northcotemanor.com
Web: www.northcotemanor.com