An imaginative chef conjures up a delicious experience for guests at this month’s Yorkshire Life lunch
It’s not often guests are welcomed to one of our lunches by a magician but then this was rather a special event. Robert Ellams entertained everyone with a few clever tricks as they arrived at the Durker Roods Hotel & Restaurant in Meltham, near Huddersfield while head chef George Ungi created his own style of magic in the kitchen. He and his team prepared an imaginative menu which demonstrated just what they are capable of with the support of local suppliers who are an important part of the restaurant’s growing success. Hard work and belief in the future of Durker Roods as another exciting eating place, hotel and wedding venue are crucial ingredients in its revival and long term success.
‘I’ve been here about 18 months,’ says George, ‘and the place has changed. Everything is fresh and new. I’m listening to our customers and slowly the word is spreading that we offer good, honest, value-for-money food. We use fresh ingredients from local food producers whenever we can and offer a menu that includes what local people want to eat which is affordable and wholesome food.
‘We want to be part of the community and our focus is on the people in the neighbourhood. People have had good times here and we want to bring them back. We want to be a hub of the community where people can come to relax and enjoy themselves.’
Lunch was served in the light and airy newly-refurbished Oscar’s restaurant with beautifully dressed tables. George and his team, which includes Samantha Walker, Connor Lunn and Martin Crofts, produced a memorable lunch menu which had a particularly good slow-cooked crisp duck leg with spiced red cabbage, duck and spring green roll, sweet potato puree and roasted plum sauce. Dessert was also especially fine with Griottine cherry frangipane tart, raspberry sorbet and toasted almond tuile. The menu may not have been an everyday serving but it seemed to us very much a celebration of all that has been achieved so far with more success to come in the future.
Durker Roods was once the country home of Sir David Brown, founder of David Brown Tractors and Aston Martin DB series. It had been neglected for some years before new owners Richard and Pauline Hough and their daughter Fiona took on the task of turning around the business. The 19th century manor house, still with many of its original features, is set in three acres of woodland and manicured gardens, the perfect setting for gentle after-dinner walks and wedding photographs. There are 30 comfortable rooms and a comprehensive wedding package to meet most budgets. And the hotel is dog-friendly, a much welcome extra for many guests with pets.
CONTACT
Durker Roods Hotel & Restaurant
Bishops Way
Meltham, Holmfirth, Huddersfield
HD9 4JA
01484 851413
durkerroodshotel.co.uk
MENU
Starter
Pulled ham croquette, ham hock terrine, shaved crispy Parma ham
Ham and eggs
Soft poached egg and soldiers
Main course
Slow cooked crisp duck leg, spiced red cabbage, duck and spring green roll
Sweet potato puree and roasted plum sauce
Dessert
Griottine cherry frangipane tart, raspberry sorbet, toasted almond tuile
WINE NOTES
Nuà Prosecco Spumante Extra Dry DOC – Veneto, Italy
To welcome guests
A new Prosecco, served to welcome guests, is produced at the Caldirola winery from Glera grapes grown in the Veneto region. Elegant with a fruity bouquet, a mellow and creamy mouth feel, delicate bubbles, subtle white peach, apple puree and brioche flavours and distinctively crisp finish.
Bon Courage Estate Gewürztraminer – Robertson, South Africa
Served with starter
Neatly tucked between the life sustaining waters of the Breede River and the impressive Langeberg mountain range, lies the Bon Courage Wine Estate. The estate wines can be identified by their elegance, consistency and intense fruit flavours. Nose billows with honeysuckle and rose petal. After all the sweet aromas the crisp, bone dry mouth comes as a pleasant surprise. Good feel, beautifully balanced elegant and fine.
Neptune Point Pinot Noir – Marlborough, New Zealand
Served with the main course
A beautiful, easy drinking Pinot Noir from the pioneering Marisco winery in New Zealand. Chief winemaker and proprietor Brent Marris continues to push the boundaries and produces, stunning award winning wines that represent great value for money. This is smooth, silky and perfectly balanced with notes of violets, plum, raspberry and black cherry; superb with red meats and cheeses and often enjoyed by those preferring less full-bodied red wines.
Windsor Special Reserve Port – Douro Valley, Portugal
Served with dessert
This stunning Ruby Reserve is produced by Barão de Vilar blended from reserve wines selected for their intense fruity character and deep colour. It is aged in wooden casks of around 600 litres for four years before bottling.
The Special Reserve is an excellent accompaniment for simple or classic desserts and a traditional cheeseboard but if you are feeling bold, serve slightly chilled, as a magnificent aperitif.
These wines are exclusive to Wild’s of Oldham in the Manchester area and are also available throughout Yorkshire through other Society of Vintners members. See societyvintners.co.uk for more information
Wine notes by Helen Cooling, wine development manager, Wild’s of Oldham
0161 626 1990
wildsofoldham.co.uk
