Introduction

After a long and tiring day on the fells or participating in activities, our guests look forward to mealtime. Outdoor centres can not, normally, boast an award winning chef. As many regular visitors are aware and will vouch for, the quality and choice of our meals has gone from strength to strength. We are striving to increase standards for them and new customers year on year with new dishes and different styles of cooking.

Our Chef and Catering Manager:

Gareth joined the organisation in 2007 having previously worked at a number of well known hotels and restaurants in the Lake District and beyond. With City and Guilds qualifications and twenty years experience, Gareth’s philosophy on food is ‘keep it local, keep it seasonal and keep up with trends`. He has high ambitions of ensuring Glaramara fulfils the standards set by better known hotels and restaurants in the area.

Gareth learnt his trade at the Michelin starred Warrener Restaurant in Maidenhead. In 1989 he participated in the Trusthouse Forte Hotels Chef of the Year regional finals. By 1994 he was head chef at the Lyzzick Hall Hotel near Keswick.

In 1998 Gareth cooked lunch for the Queen and received an acknowledgement from Buckingham Palace advising of her appreciation. In 2000 Gareth joined Morrel’s, a respected restaurant in Keswick and proceeded to ensure it gained the prestigious RAC Dining Award for each of the years he was there – 2000 through to 2003. Featured in a Guardian Good Restaurant guide in 2003, Gareth inspired the author to write ‘outside of swish hotels, it’s quite hard to eat well in the Lake District. Morrel’s is the exception’. Thereafter he managed his own bar and restaurant, Zenith’s in Keswick.

Our message

Working in the newly refurbished five star kitchen (Scores on the Doors) and dining room, Gareth, together with his dedicated staff, is looking forward to producing healthy, locally sourced meals for your enjoyment during your visit.We are happy to talk to groups about their specific catering and dietary requirements.

See samples of our menus here and here and our latest wine list.