Raymond Blanc partners with Ascot Racecourse to develop service academy
Ascot Racecourse has partnered with Raymond Blanc to train all hospitality staff at the course.
The chef will host the Panoramic restaurant throughout the five days of Royal Ascot in June, while working throughout the year to deliver a service academy for staff at all of Ascot's restaurants.
For the duration of Royal Ascot Blanc will be joined by fellow two-Michelin-starred chef Phil Howard, co-owner of the Square, who will run the On5 restaurant.
Speaking at the launch of the partnership with Ascot, Blanc said: "I'm happy to be part of this Ascot Academy. The Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons team will work extremely hard to deliver a better moment, better service and better food as well. The standards are already high and we're going to work to make them even better."
Blanc added that he would advise on the menu at the Panoramic restaurant, while also working with his team throughout the year on menu development and service training.
He said: "All my life I have strived for excellence and providing our guests with the best possible experience. I look forward to bringing my knowledge and passion to the heart of Ascot."
Both Blanc and Howard will work with teams from Sodexo, who have run the hospitality packages at Ascot for 16 years.
Howard returns to Ascot having run the On5 restaurant for the Royal meeting last year.
He said: "Again, this year I will be using my interest in British ingredients to create a stunning menu to match the spectacle of the day at Royal Ascot. We have been growing our own vegetables within the grounds of Fulham Palace for a year now and using them at the Square is something I am very proud of. I am greatly looking forward to bringing them to the Royal meeting this year."
Day to day hospitality at Ascot is run by Sodexo Prestige executive chef Gemma Amor. During Royal Ascot she leads a team of over 300 chefs that serve 40,000 covers. Sodexo has worked with Ascot since 1998.
Sodexo culinary director David Mulcahy said: "Ascot Racecourse is one of our most prestigious partners and really shows the world-class level of service and unique dining experiences Sodexo is capable of providing, working alongside some of the industry's top chefs like Phil Howard and Raymond Blanc."
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