Aberglasney Gardens in the picturesque Tywi Valley in Carmarthenshire is delighted to be celebrating a new partnership with one of Wales most prominent food critics.
Along with his family, the food writer, broadcaster, and restaurateur Simon Wright will take over the franchise for Aberglasneys caf on St Davids Day, March 1, 2013.Simon and his team, including wife Maryann and son Joel, will bring food of the quality you dont always expect at museums and gardens to this historic site.
Using fresh local ingredients picked from the gardens where possible the menu will change daily according to the seasons and the weather, but you can expect to sample innovative sandwiches and salads, soups, stews and homemade cakes all complimented with Welsh Coffee, Suki Teas and homemade lemonade.
Simons impressive CV reinforces the offering he brings to Aberglasney.
He and Maryann have been running restaurants in South West Wales for more than 20 years.
They were previously partners in the award winning Y Polyn at Nantgaredig and recently set up Wright's Independent Food Emporium.
Simon is a former Editor of the AA Restaurant Guide and was the restaurant consultant on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.
He is a writer and broadcaster whose programmes have included "The Wright Taste" and "Wales on the Menu" for BBC Wales as well as programmes for Channel 4.
He is delighted to now be entering into a partnership with Aberglasney: Its a very special place and as a setting in which to serve people food it has few peers. We'll be offering food that has the same spirit as everything else we've done. The emphasis will be on quality, simple things done very well. One of the most enchanting things about the gardens is that it will give us the chance to work with the talented gardeners on produce that can be used in our dishes."
Aberglasneys head gardener Joseph Atkin says hes very much looking forward to working closely with the Wrights.
The Lower Walled Garden is filled year round almost with an abundance of fantastic vegetables, fruit and herbs. Its mouth-watering to see so many different varieties, many of which are quite rare and Im delighted that everything from purple podded peas to orange chard and edible flowers are going to be put to good use.
I cant wait to see Simons team in the gardens picking vegetables first thing in the morning, knowing that by lunch time Ill be able to sit in the caf enjoying all sorts of great dishes made with Aberglasney produce.
Aberglasney also has bee hives and the honey produced will be used at the caf, as will, during the summer months, oranges grown in the famous Cloister Garden and tropical fruit from the Ninfarium indoor garden.
Diners can choose to eat inside or al fresco in Aberglasneys beautiful Pool Garden surrounded by trees and flowers with stunning views through to the woodlands and walled gardens making a table at Wrights in the Garden one of the best in Wales.
Aberglasney Members will be able to make full use of the Caf, by visiting as often as they wish without any admission charge, under the normal terms of their membership.
He is delighted to now be entering into a partnership with Aberglasney: Its a very special place and as a setting in which to serve people food it has few peers. We'll be offering food that has the same spirit as everything else we've done. The emphasis will be on quality, simple things done very well. One of the most enchanting things about the gardens is that it will give us the chance to work with the talented gardeners on produce that can be used in our dishes."
Aberglasneys head gardener Joseph Atkin says hes very much looking forward to working closely with the Wrights.
The Lower Walled Garden is filled year round almost with an abundance of fantastic vegetables, fruit and herbs. Its mouth-watering to see so many different varieties, many of which are quite rare and Im delighted that everything from purple podded peas to orange chard and edible flowers are going to be put to good use.
I cant wait to see Simons team in the gardens picking vegetables first thing in the morning, knowing that by lunch time Ill be able to sit in the caf enjoying all sorts of great dishes made with Aberglasney produce.
Aberglasney also has bee hives and the honey produced will be used at the caf, as will, during the summer months, oranges grown in the famous Cloister Garden and tropical fruit from the Ninfarium indoor garden.
Diners can choose to eat inside or al fresco in Aberglasneys beautiful Pool Garden surrounded by trees and flowers with stunning views through to the woodlands and walled gardens making a table at Wrights in the Garden one of the best in Wales.
Aberglasney Members will be able to make full use of the Caf, by visiting as often as they wish without any admission charge, under the normal terms of their membership.
Full details of membership can be found at www.aberglasney.org
