A Cumbrian fine dining restaurant is celebrating after retaining its coveted three AA Rosette award.

The accolade ranks Pentonbridge Inn, near Carlisle, among the top 10 per cent of restaurants listed in the prestigious AA Restaurant Guide.

Head chef Chris Archer and his team were recognised with the award last night (September 26) at the AA Hospitality Awards at the Grosvenor House in London.

Chris said: “It’s our ambition for Pentonbridge Inn to be a must-visit destination for diners from across the country and retaining our three AA Rosettes is a brilliant testament to the team’s creativity, talent and hard work.

“It’s a proud moment for everyone. We’re creating something really special here and are committed to delivering excellence in everything we do across the whole dining experience.”

Pentonbridge Inn, based in Penton in North Cumbria, was first awarded three AA Rosettes last year.

Pentonbridge Inn recently launched an eight-course tasting menu featuring ingredients from the restored walled garden of its sister business, Netherby Hall, a historic stately home four-and-a-half miles away at Longtown.

Chris, who has been at Pentonbridge Inn for three years, works closely with the garden team at Netherby Hall to source up to 70 per cent of the fruit, herbs and vegetables used in the seasonally-inspired dishes on the set tasting menu, as well as working with local suppliers from across Cumbria.

According to the AA, three rosettes recognise outstanding restaurants that achieve standards that demand recognition well beyond their local area.

The cooking is underpinned by the selection and sympathetic treatment of the highest quality ingredients, with timing, seasoning and the judgement of flavour combinations consistently excellent, and the experience supported by other elements such as intuitive service and a well-chosen wine list.

Around 10 per cent of the restaurants and hotels within the AA Restaurant Guide have three rosettes or above.

The awards were announced ahead of the publication of the latest edition of AA guidebook.

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