More online www.thecaterer.com Ardbeg distiller to remodel Islay hotel Movers


Scotch whisky distiller Ardbeg Islay is planning a luxurious transformation of the Islay hotel, which it purchased in 2022. Ardbeg is operated by the Glen-


morangie Company, a subsidiary of the LVMH group, which also owns the Belmond hotel brand. The brand intends to create a


whisky and hospitality experi- ence at the hotel, located near its distillery in Port Ellen on the remote Scottish island. The multimillion-pound revamp


will be designed to honour the spirit of Islay and share the sto- ries in which its brand is steeped. The team plans to run the hotel


in its current guise until late sum- mer. After a short closure, it aims to reopen in May 2025 under the name Ardbeg House. The redesign will be Led by interior designer Russell Sage Studio, which has already helped to transform the distillery’s visi- tor centre. The proposed changes include a reimagined bar with a


The planned transformation will allow for a whisky experience


courtyard, called the Islay Bar, which is named after the hotel’s former watering hole. It will be designed as a hub to bring local residents and visitors together. Also on the horizon is a new-


look restaurant on the ground floor, which will be open to non- residents, with a private dining room for special occasions. Refreshed bedrooms and


suites will each tell stories of Islay and Ardbeg, while a new space on the lower ground floor will feature an area for games and a whisky cave. Furthermore, the refurbished Ardbeg House will serve an exclusive Ardbeg whisky, that will only be available at the hotel and the Ardbeg distillery visitor centre.


Woodmill Game invests in pie production


Fife-based wild game producer Woodmill Game has invested in new production premises and developed a bespoke burger and sausage production facility and pie-making service. The past three years have


seen the family-run business increase turnover by 50% year- on-year, while in 2023 the busi- ness moved butchery production to an enlarged site at Jamesfield near Newburgh, while retaining its Lindores facility. The purpose-built Jamesfield


site has the capacity to produce up to 20,000 game pies, includ- ing bespoke pies for local restau- rants and shops. Woodmill Game is run by


father and son team Steven and Guy Wade. The expansion and growth in demand has seen head- count climb to 10 staff in the last few years. Managing director Steven said:


“We started Woodmill Game as a way of sharing our love of Scot- land’s delicious wild meats. Over the last five years, we’ve devel- oped a selection of core products and I’ve personally enjoyed creat-


www.thecaterer.com Steven Wade reported a growing recognition of venison and game


ing seasonal recipes to add to the product range.” He said there was growing rec- ognition of venison and game’s healthy, sustainable and flavour qualities and added: “This success had enabled us to continue to look at regular new product develop-


ment but also to expand our pro- duction facilities and open up a service to other local businesses. We know there’s a demand for beautifully-made pies that focus on properly-sourced ingredients and we’ve put in place a specialist team to manage this.”


&Shakers


Bidfood’s Anna Turner has been appointed as a director and interim vice-chairman


at the Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA), which she will undertake alongside her role as national account manager within Bidfood’s catering supplies team. Turner has worked at the wholesaler for 11 years and been an FPA member for over 10 years.


Alastair Macphie, chairman of Scottish food ingredient firm Macphie, is


stepping down this spring after 17 years. The great nephew of the company’s founder will swap roles with non-executive director Norman Soutar, who has more than 30 years’ leadership experience in the food sector at brands including William Jackson Food Group.


Water brand Wenlock Spring has recruited Alan Souter as a national account manager


as the Shropshire-based firm targets further expansion in the foodservice sector. Souter, an experienced bottled water brand builder, will be responsible for managing the company’s existing foodservice wholesale customers as well as creating new sales opportunities in the sector.


Diageo has appointed Julie Brown as a non- executive director from 5 August. She will succeed


Alan Stewart as chair of the drinks firm’s audit committee. Brown has been chief financial officer and executive director of pharmaceutical firm GSK since May 2023, prior to which she held the same position at Burberry Group.


22 March 2024 | The Caterer | 47


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