Chef Steve Hodson New Role at Barton Grange Hotel

The Barton Grange Hotel in Preston has this month appointed chef and local Lancashire man Steve Hodson to head its kitchen team as executive chef. 

Steve returns to his Lancashire roots bringing with him a wealth of experience from some of this country’s, and the worlds, most recognised hotels.  He began his career in South Africa where he worked at The Royal Hotel in Durban, before spreading his wings to work for a number of years in Jersey.  Steve returned to South Africa to revamp The South African Airway’s First Class Lounge fine dining experience at Johannesburg Airport.

The appeal of returning to work in the UK took over and Steve decided to settle in his native Lancashire, where he gained the accolade of ‘Best Newcomer of the Year’.  Steve has spent the past three years working for the Hilton Hotels group where he was head chef at a number of its celebrated hotels including London Waldorf Hilton, Manchester Deansgate Hilton, the 3 AA Rosette awarded Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh and the Double Tree by Hilton Tower of London.

In his new role, Steve will be in charge of The Barton Grange’s Walled Garden restaurant and the Hotel’s conference and banqueting food operation, working closely with his team and local suppliers to offer traditional Lancashire dishes served with Steve’s internationally gathered flair and creativity.

Commenting on his appointment Daniel Rich, general manager of The Barton Grange Hotel, said: ‘Steve has a fantastic reputation within the hospitality industry and it’s a real coup for us to be able to recruit him to work here at The Barton Grange.  It’s testament to the fantastic team we already have here that Steve agreed to join us and be part of the exciting future for the hotel.’

Steve Hodson added: ‘I am thrilled to be joining the Hotel team.  I love living in Lancashire and I’m a big fan of using its amazing array of local suppliers. The Barton Grange is a fantastic place for me to really make my mark on the local culinary scene and I look forward to working with everyone involved in the kitchen to produce the most sought after menu in the area.’

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Sarah Lewis, [email protected] or 0781 792 8132
Daniel Rich, general manager, [email protected] or 01772 867091

Notes to editors:

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Chef Steve Hodson appointed to Barton Grange Hotel, Preston

The Barton Grange Hotel:
Once an old manor house, the 51 bedroom four-star hotel has been extended and refurbished over the years to offer a stylish, contemporary setting which still retains the comfort, charm and character of its origins.  Recently refurbished guest rooms offer individual Sky TV boxes (free sports and movies in executive rooms), free hi-speed Wi-Fi, handmade British EPOC mattresses, Ruark Bluetooth speakers, and Nespresso coffee machines in all the executive and superior rooms.

The Barton Room and 5 meeting rooms offer versatility to host events from 2 to 300 people, and come equipped with modern audio-visual equipment including ceiling-mounted screens, LCD projectors, sound system, hearing loop, air-conditioning, adjustable lighting and complimentary hi-speed Wi-Fi or wired Internet access.

Set in stunning gardens and situated in the heart of Lancashire, the Hotel is just a short distance from Preston city centre, local attractions such as Blackpool, and the Lake District is easily accessible from junction 32 of the M6. 

The ‘Walled Garden Bistro’ offers a traditional Lancashire breakfast with fresh coffees, light snacks and cocktails in the evenings, serving Lancashire food from local suppliers with a traditional home grown bistro menu using our new Inka charcoal grill.

Guests can enjoy a relaxing time in our swimming pool, sauna or work out in our mini gym, or learn to play billiards in our traditional panelled lounge. 

Barton Grange Hotel is still a family owned, the original manor house was opened in 1951 by Grandma Topping, and it was then extended by Eddie Topping in 1956 as part of Barton Grange Garden Centre which is now 2 miles away from the hotel which has its own farm shop and narrow boat marina.  http://www.bartongrangehotel.co.uk