British Food Fortnight with a Terra Madre chef from Buckinghamshire’s Restaurant of the Year

British food fortnight is coming to a close and has been a remarkable 2 weeks for Buckinghamshire Restaurant of the Year, The Plough Wavendon.

Head Chef, Grant Hawthorne, has introduced his autumn menu with a variety of seasonal heritage potatoes and apples to add to the all British cheeseboard which has garnered national attention. The AA Restaurant Guide 2009 has recently awarded the restaurant 2 Rosettes for their ‘higher standards, better consistency and where a greater precision is apparent in the cooking.’

He has recently spent a full day at the local St Mary’s C.O.E. in Wavendon, demonstrating and teaching the whole school about making food from scratch and then having them enjoy the fruits of labour. Some of the items included ‘Textures of heritage apple’ and bread making with artisan British cheese.

Grant commented: ‘It is amazing to see the look on the faces of the future generations when they taste food that is both nutritious and easy to prepare.’ He continues: ‘As part of the community work we undertake as chefs, it is important to get the future leaders of tomorrow, involved with food and all the joys of eating great, local produce.’

As part of the contingent of 30 cooks to represent the UK at the forthcoming Terra Madre in Turin, Grant is equally vocal: ‘We have a duty, in these dire economic times, to support the local farmers who are producing exceptional food for our health and welfare.
These recessionary times are exciting from a culinary perspective: The food issue is on everyone’s lips - Even if it means sustenance or a way of venting about the value of a restaurant.’

He continues further: ‘How we choose to eat is governed by our hunger for nutrition: I choose a ‘Live to eat’ philosophy – and I’m particular in where I am able to source my produce from as it has a direct impact on my future health and well-being. Cost sometimes becomes irrelevant when weighing up the basics.’

Grant recently launched his 9-course autumn Degustation (tasting) menu, with the added option of having a flight of wines to match each course. He comments:
‘The Plough’s complimentary luxury transport; 300 bin wine list and some of the UK’s Best Dishes are to be found a mere 7 miles from Central Milton Keynes.’

The Plough Wavendon is open daily from noon, and its menu includes an affordable business set lunch along with a pre-theatre dinner served between 5.30pm and 7.00pm.

For enquiries and reservations please call:
01908 587576

Opening times:
Tuesday – Saturday:
Lunch: 12pm-2:30pm
Pre-theatre: 5:30pm–7pm
Dinner: 7pm–10:30pm

Sunday:
Lunch: 12:30pm-4pm
Dinner: Closed evening
Closed Monday all day

The Plough
72 Walton Road
Wavendon
Milton Keynes
Buckinghamshire
MK17 8LW