Congratulations to all at Le Manoir from RB
following double wins at the Cateys 2011
07 July 2011
At the Cateys 2011, Le Manoir won Hotel of the Year (Group) and Philip Newman-Hall was also presented with the ‘Manager of the Year’ Award (to read the story, click here. Raymond Blanc is filming in France at the moment, but has sent the following message to all his team at Le Manoir. You can also watch the video he recorded which was played in his absence:
Dear Team
First I should like – of course – to thank, and congratulate, our General Manager, Philip Newman-Hall and you, the team at Le Manoir for this wonderful achievement.
I was truly gutted not to be with you on Tuesday evening to celebrate our wonderful success at the Cateys - it was an exceptional honour to receive two Cateys in one evening: Manager of the Year going to Philip and Hotel of the Year - Group to Le Manoir. You have supported me in realising my dream. I have worked unrelentingly for 27 years to convert this splendid, old Manor House, first into a restaurant with rooms, and then into a magnificent country house hotel for the 21st century – and I think we have succeeded in creating a rare thing, a modern classic. My vision was and still is to strive for perfection - to create a centre of excellence, a modern classic, a place to celebrate life, love and oneself.
I’ve tried always to modernise it without following any fashion; tried to be intelligent without being clever; to respond to the changing needs and wishes of the modern guest by providing responsible luxury. Always having in mind to make Le Manoir sustainable in every decision I have taken. This means we give our guest the best of everything we can, with the assurance that everything has been grown, made, sourced and traded with as much attention paid to its ethical standing as to its excellence and with a keen concern for the environment. Our guests can feel pampered – and feel good about it.
I thank you, the team for the daily effort you have put into this joint effort of ours. It might be that initially I own the vision behind it – but it was always my aim that those who work with me should share its ownership – I always wanted you to own it, too. And now, with this award, you truly do.
Of all the accolades we have received, this is the one I personally most wanted. For a self-taught chef, it is hard enough to have made a success of a restaurant, let alone a hotel! Within the last 27 yrs, it is really an important milestone. Yes, there is still much to achieve and create.
The next programme at Le Manoir will be called magic – having cemented some strong foundations, we are now ready to add that little extraordinary ingredient called magic. I hope you feel as proud as I do to what we are creating here. I look forward to working with you on all of those little touches of magic.
On Tuesday night whilst you were celebrating, we, myself, Kush and Katie Beth cooked near my home at Port Lesney where I’m filming my tv series for all my family, friends, former teacher, my first boss & many Michelin chefs a wholesome meal. We cooked dinner for 40 Frenchmen who partied until 3am - having a great time and celebrating….!!
Finally I want to thank our partners in Orient Express Hotels, of which I am a Vice-President, for the huge support they’ve given me towards achieving this distinction and supporting me in every single initiative that I have undertaken.
A huge thank you to each of you.
RB
Raymond Blanc's new book, Kitchen Secrets, featuring recipes from Kitchen Secrets Series 1 & 2 and many more, was published by Bloomsbury on 14 February and is available to buy online from Amazon, from Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, Brasserie Blanc, Maison Blanc, and from online and retail bookstores.
Follow Raymond Blanc on Twitter
Contact Raymond via the Contact page of the website
To find out more about The Raymond Blanc Cookery School, click here