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Join our Estates and Gardens team on their first major project of the year, renewing our Walled Gardens to create fresh, homegrown produce for the resort.
With work well underway, we sat down with Phil Mennell, Estates and Gardens Manager to discuss Rockliffe Hall's new and exciting project for 2022 and how the possibilities are endless for our Walled Gardens.
Q. What will be growing in the gardens and when are we likely to start seeing growth?
A. "We're looking to grow everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, cut flowers, edible flowers, herbs and fruit trees and bushes. We're still deciding on the details."
Q. When is your ideal completion date?
A. "We're hoping for the beginning of March in time for the Spring season, however it is weather dependant."
Q. What are you looking forward to see most out of the project?
A. "We're looking forward to seeing the end result where there'll be lots of team member and guest interaction. It'll be great to see all the hard work go into the kitchens for guests to then enjoy."
Q. What has been the biggest challenge?
A. "The whole project has been a challenge for the team with the pandemic still being around and obviously then weather plays a huge factor, so delays have encountered."
Q. How involved will the chefs be?
A. "They will be involved daily from picking and growing the produce just as much as the Estates team. Each restaurant will have their own say and we aim to inform guests daily of what has been picked that very day."
Q. How involved will the Chefs be?
A. " They will be involved daily just as much as the Estates team from picking and growing the produce to deciding what to use each day in the kitchens. We aim to have boards informing guests what has been picked fresh that very day."
Q. How will the gardens benefit the resort?
A. "It will learn and educate everyone on the impacts of self-sustainability and of course produce the finest, freshest ingredients which will just taste wonderful."
Q. What does the future of the walled gardens look like? Pick your own sessions? Masterclasses?
A. "We'd love to be able to create personalised guest hampers, host masterclasses and workshops with our Chefs and Estates teams, and even some pick your own sessions for guests to really get a feel of the Walled Gardens and take something home with home."
What would you like to see most from our Walled Gardens?
Be sure to join us on this exciting journey by following us on social media @rockliffe_hall !
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