New Menus at Oakes Grill Redefine Hertfordshire Fine Dining

WARE, ENGLAND--(Marketwired - Nov 8, 2013) - Fresh blood heralds exciting changes, whether it's in a business or a restaurant. And at one luxury hotel in Hertfordshire, that promise has been fulfilled in the most mouthwatering of ways. The arrival of Executive Chef Raj Chakraborty to Hanbury Manor, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club, has brought new partnerships, new menus and a completely new dining experience.

When Chef Chakraborty assumed the Executive Chef position at the five-star hotel in July 2013, he didn't necessarily set out to revamp the Hertfordshire fine dining scene. He did, however, intend to draw on his 19 years of experience in kitchens located in and around Central London to update the menus. "I have a passion for fresh, locally sourced produce," Chakraborty said, "and this is what I intended to bring to the hotel."

Accordingly, Oakes Grill has emerged as a standout option among restaurants in Hertfordshire, UK. Its ever-changing seasonal menus read like a regional map. There's Cornish sirloin, for example, Cockerham salt marsh lamb, Goosnargh duck breast and Hereford rump steak all proudly represented.

But Chakraborty isn't content to rest simply on the quality of his ingredients. Instead, he sources the best and prepares each dish with passion. Cornish sea bream, for instance, is paired with roast Jerusalem artichoke and smoked bacon. The Neal's Yard goat curd finds its perfect mate with a marinated beet salad with roasted pine-nut dressing. And sides like triple-cooked truffle chips, hickory-smoked smash and buttered kale nod to current tastes while honoring traditional British cooking.

Tradition, in fact, plays a strong role at this hotel near Knebworth House. Not only does the hotel boast a lineage stretching back to the 18^th century, but its furnishings, customs and landscape reflect Hertfordshire's time-honoured custom of serving as London's "original country retreat." And even as Oakes Grill breaks free of tradition with its modern styling and international inspiration, it retains a respectful connection with its context. Chakraborty, whose father-in-law once served as Director of Hanbury Manor, knows how to walk this line well. Even the dessert menu, which features cognacs, ports and a variety of sweets, reflects this middle ground. There's a selection of British cheeses, for example, just as there is peanut-butter cheesecake with cherry compote and caramelised popcorn. Sometimes, it seems, the changes wrought by new leadership marry the past and present in truly delicious ways.

About Hanbury Manor, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club
Escaping to the country feels particularly luxurious at Hanbury Manor, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club. This five-star resort resides on 200 acres of Hertfordshire parkland with a gracious Jacobean country house as its centerpiece. An 18-hole championship golf course, a full-service spa and award-winning dining create a sublimely relaxing environment for any stay, while 13,993 square feet of event space welcomes weddings, conferences and intimate meetings with unparalleled service. The 161 guest rooms reflect the property's history with period features, but modern amenities like LCD flat-screen televisions, luxury bedding and wireless Internet make them inviting for today's travellers. The health club, tennis courts and breathtaking Romanesque indoor pool provide plenty of opportunities to play, while the walled gardens and cosy paneled library serve as ideal places to relax. London may be just half an hour away, but this inviting property lets guests embrace country life to the fullest.