Who needs Gordon Ramsay?

Who needs Gordon Ramsay when you’ve got Ben Hickinson? That’s the question being asked by local hotel, wedding and conference businesses Whirlowbrook Hall and The Maynard. The two Fretwell-Downing family owned venues are embarking on a series of ‘Ramsay-esque’ food tasting events out and about in Sheffield, to showcase the undoubted talents of head chef, Ben Hickinson.

Ben and his team are one of only a handful of kitchen teams in the area to have achieved two AA rosettes and as both The Maynard and Whirlowbrook Hall locations are both a little ‘off the beaten track’, the food tastings are designed to show people what they’re missing.

The food tasting roadshow came to Sheffield Hallam University recently, when Ben and the team visited the University to offer staff from its executive assistants’ team complimentary samples of seasonal canapés.

Sales and marketing manager for The Maynard and Whirlowbrook Hall, Philippa Debono, said: "The Maynard and Whirlowbrook Hall both have a great history and heritage, with many people remembering what both venues used to be like in days gone by.

"There have been huge changes made to both businesses in recent months and years, both in terms of décor but also in the quality and presentation of the food and a general improvement in the overall customer offer. Whirlowbrook Hall has been Sheffield’s best kept secret in recent years, however we’re determined to change that as quickly as possible."

Janine Beck, from the estates and facilities department of Sheffield Hallam University, said: "We are delighted that Sheffield Hallam was chosen as one of the stop-off points for this event. There was a steady queue eager to sample Ben's canapés! "

If your company or organisation would like a visit from Ben and his team, to sample Whirlowbrook Hall’s seasonal menus on your own premises, a limited number of slots are available for future food tasting sessions. Call Philippa Debono on 0114 221 3003 for further details.

Ben Hickinson, 26, from Hathersage, has been at The Maynard since 2004, joining the team as senior chef de partie before being promoted to sous chef and most recently taking on the role of head chef in 2007. He is widely regarded as one of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire’s outstanding emerging talents and has overseen a significant transition at The Maynard between 2007 and 2009. In early 2009, Ben’s role was expanded to ensure that sister company Whirlowbrook Hall’s food offering was brought up-to-date and the menus brought in line with the quality produced by the Maynard’s double AA rosette winning kitchen.
ENDS

Photograph and caption
Ben Hickinson and his team are offering free food sampling events on your business premises…..hurry, only limited availability for this wonderful offer.

Media Contact: BeyondPR. Tel: 0114 275 6996. Mob: 07930 697773. www.beyondpr.co.uk
Ref: MAY194 – Food tastings November 2009