Wadworth appoints catering development manager

Wadworth has appointed a catering development manager to help improve the

food offer in its 39 managed pubs.

Scott Ferguson has joined the company from Youngs where he was development

chef for three years. Ferguson's approach will be to develop bespoke menus

for each pub focusing on the best of seasonal, local or West Country

produce. Ferguson is initially working one to one in the pubs focusing on

skills and menu training. The company plans to open its own food training &

development kitchen.

All licensees will have the opportunity to change and evolve their menus as

required with Ferguson's support using an online menu system. The aim is to

keep the managed pubs menu's fresh, inspirational and up to date with

competitors.

Ferguson said: "We have so much opportunity with our food within our managed

pubs with some great destinations and stunning buildings. We need to

scrutinise our food offering across the managed estate and raise the bar so

our customers enjoy our quality pub food experience and in turn we hope to

create a wow factor that will keep bringing them back for more.

"We will always be looking at giving our customers fresh, wholesome, well

presented British food which must be value for money.

New concepts on managed houses menus include deli boards, gourmet burgers

and healthy eating dishes.

The company is also launching a new picnic hamper menu in mid-May for its

six pubs with large outside areas. Items will include pork pie,home baked

ham, marinated chicken, smoked fish, king prawns and dressed crabs from

Wings of St Mawes in Cornwall, West Country cheeses,crudités, houmous &

vegetarian quiches.

They will be served with rustic breads, chutney, pickles, olives and

Wadworth's 6X beer mustard, vegetable crisps, fruit and a selection of

salads.