Chartridge Conference venue features in new TV celebrity chef series

July 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Hitchin Priory, the 14th century Carmelite monastery in the historic Hertfordshire market town was chosen as the picturesque backdrop to a new ITV celebrity chef series.  Professional actor Ricky Groves, who is best known for his role as Garry Hobbs in EastEnders, was staying at Hitchin Priory and was so taken with its charm and striking location, that the director took up his suggestion of using the location to introduce the programme.

‘Ten Mile Menu’ teams up celebrities with professional chefs and challenges them to produce a 3 course meal using ingredients sourced within a 10 mile radius.  Galton Blackiston, who owns Morston Hall in Norfolk and partnered Ricky in the programme is passionate about using local ingredients.  He commented, “This series is right up my street.  I was in Hitchin, a place I didn’t know and found wonderful watercress, long-horn beef, fantastic vegetables and wild garlic”.

According to the BBC, each ‘Ten Mile Menu’ programme features two teams which must source and serve a three-course meal using only produce from within a ten mile radius. Each team is made up of a professional chef and a celebrity novice, and together they have to win over a group of uncompromising local judges.

The local ingredients theme of the programme is reflected by Hitchin Priory.  Now a privately owned conference centre and hotel run by Chartridge Conference Company (CCC) Hitchin Priory has a policy of using fresh local ingredients whenever possible.  Bread is baked by the local baker in Hitchin and the meat is sourced from a local butcher. Peter Darnell, managing director of CCC commented, “Using fresh local produce rather than mass catering ingredients out of the freezer means our chefs can use their skills and provide a menu that is innovative, more individual, but more importantly, it makes our guests stay here a more memorable experience.


More about Chartridge Conference Company
The Chartridge Conference Company runs and manages five dedicated conference and meeting venues located in the Home Counties and West Midlands.  All CCC venues are set in out-of-the-ordinary locations that provide the perfect secluded environment for meetings. All venues provide the highest standards of fully equipped training facilities in rooms that are bright, inviting and adaptable with on-site technical support.  Superb food is created with care and flair by dedicated chefs, and when the learning is over, delegates can relax in style in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. The ethos of CCC is to successfully combine total professionalism, excellent value in a friendly relaxing environment.  CCC is a member of MIA and Conference Centres of Excellence.

For further information about Chartridge Conference Company  visit www.chartridge.co.uk

For further quotes contact Peter Darnell, managing director, Chartridge Conference Company

For further quotes or media information contact Colin Caldicott, Ultimedia Public Relations
Tel: 01767 601470  E-mail: colin@ultimediapr.co.uk