Shire chefs go to New York in search of spring

Executive chefs from Shire Hotels braved the elements to go to New York last month in search of inspiration for their new spring menus. The group visited well-known Big Apple restaurants such as the Union Square Café, Balthazar, Ruby Foos and Peter Luger Steak House.

Group executive chef Mike Haddow, based at North Lakes hotel in Cumbria, (pictured second from right) said: "We went over there to look at the food trends. It really reinforced how we should be creating our food. We need to remember the key elements - buy well, cook well and keep it simple."

Shire Hotels has properties in Penrith (Cumbria), Burnley and Blackburn (Lancashire), Leeds (West Yorkshire) and Knutsford (Cheshire) as well as Kettering, Bristol and Fareham.