Tradition al fresco

 
Preserving places of historic interest or natural beauty across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the National Trust (NT) derives its main income from admission charges and membership but has also become a major foodservice business. Its 160 restaurants, cafes and kiosks, many of them with al fresco terraces or courtyards, produced nearly GBP31 m sales in 2007. The resultant GBP7 m profit represented around 5% total contribution to NT revenue and 35% of its commercial activities, which also include shops, retail, publishing and corporate partnerships. The majority of NT foodservice is managed in-house, with professional catering teams at virtually all major properties. Key elements of catering policy include use of seasonal and local suppliers with most food ‘home-made’ using free range and organic sources where available. Many recipes, which are freely given to visitors, are also traditional to the country or local area.
 
The range of visitor experiences is very wide but a good example of al fresco eating is 200-year-old Mompesson House in Salisbury to the west of England, where cafe visitors can eat their home-made scones, cakes and cucumber sandwiches in full view of a historic cathedral (tallest spire in England), beautiful gardens and an elegant 18th century town house.
 

 
On England’s east coast, the tearooms of former Coastguard Cottages on the coast at Dunwich Heath won a Good Food Award last year for its use of seasonal, local food, including locally caught fish.
 
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
 

 
| 26 June 2008 |