A CUMBRIAN restaurant is gaining legendary status as it’s just been named in the UK’s top 100 restaurants for the second year in a row.
The Michelin star restaurant, The Cottage in the Wood, which is nestled 1,000 ft high in the Whinlatter mountain forest, near Keswick, has been listed as number 81 in the Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards.
The convivial and serene spot offers contemporary dining with a focus on Cumbrian produce – proudly feeding mouths with meat sourced from the surrounding fells; freshly landed fish and shellfish from west coast harbours; and a host of wild foods foraged from the forest.
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Owners Kath and Liam Berney have been running the 17th Century site for the past 20 years.
"It’s our second year in the top 100 restaurants, and we’re listed as one of three of the best Cumbrian restaurants – obviously we’re very pleased,” Liam said.
Liam paid plaudits to chef director Ben Wilkinson and restaurant director Monika Zurawska, as well as the rest of the team for their continued hard work and exemplary service over the years.
"If you think about the last 20 years, there couldn’t have been a more challenging time to be involved in a business, from financial crashes to foot and mouth disease, Cumbria has had it all really.
"Cumbria is just a wonderful place, full of wonderful people, it’s been very rewarding and stimulating challenge to be a part of,” he said.
Whilst the credits are in full flow of the premise, Liam said it has been a bit ‘hectic’ now due to being very busy and short-staffed, like much of the industry.
The Cottage in the Wood are encouraging anyone who may wish to get involved with the award-winning team to get in touch.
"Our stance is to weather the uncertainty of the perfect storm we’re encountering at the moment.
"We just want to get through this time and see things get a bit more settled," he said.
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