February 2008

Get ready girls - 2008 is a leap year!  Irish legend dating back to the 5th Century has it that feisty nun St Bridget petitioned St Patrick to allow women to play a more active role in who they should marry. The somewhat ungenerous result was that for one day in every four years, women would have the traditional right to propose to whomever they wished!  If you are joining us for a first date, romantic Valentine’s dinner, (or particularly if you intend to pop the question), we hope all your dreams come true in 2008! The reality of the extra day is to bring the solar year of 365¼ days into line with the calendar year and therefore ensure the seasons don’t slip over time…

Within The Priory Inn’s kitchen, we are also closely attuned to the seasons and nature’s cycle in the farms and fields.  We passionately believe that we have a keen responsibility to design our menus and specials around local and seasonal food.  A key reason being that we can guarantee that the food we serve is fresher, tastier and more nutritious.  This in turn means we (and our customers) support the vital Cotswold rural economy as well as reducing the energy and associated CO2 emissions with buying food that has travelled a long way.

Following this ethos is our true and passionate belief.  However this produces challenges at a time of year when the harsh reality is that much farmland remains dormant. Battles are now fought in the kitchen to create comfort foods which centrally heat our bodies, gently thaw our minds and make the best possible use of good old carbohydrates and starches.

We have been working hard on revamping our lunch (and soon dinner) menus.  The current season dictates that we shall continue to tempt you with slow roasted dishes, flavourful casseroles and classic carnivorous fare.  The vegetables which continue to make regular appearances are not just the winter roots such as carrots and potatoes but also the ‘aromatic roots’: celeriac and Jerusalem artichokes (both soon coming to an end) and parsnips. They all make wonderful rich, creamy purees, sweeter now the frosts have turned their starches to sugar.  Kale (part of the cabbage family) is one of the few green vegetables that is abundant and flavoursome during these coldest months of the year.  If you like game fresh from the fields, we will be getting less and less now as the game season comes to an end so take advantage when you see it on the specials board.

This monthly blog often reveals details of new relationships with people connected to food and drink, and this month is no exception.  We have recently made special contact with 4 local hungry pigs who are growing rather rapidly.  Our chefs are enjoying the opportunity of recycling the many vegetarian scraps, so watch out for some exclusive and very tasty hand-reared local sausages on our menus in the near future!

Sunday nights at The Priory Inn continue to be well-supported from the live music perspective – we have some truly compelling acts this month, with the splendid Andy Whittle joining us on 10th before he tours Portugal and a return visit from the delightful Kate Mclaren (16 years old with an amazing range to her beautiful voice!) and Cris Toll her award-winning acoustic guitarist on the 17th. Full details for the weeks ahead are always kept up-to-date on our website and at the bottom of this page.

Looking ahead to March, we are now taking bookings for Mothering Sunday.  Our special menu will offer a delicious treat for all over-worked mums who deserve a couple of hours one Sunday a year chilling-out.  We shall be joined by a couple of great girls from the Stables Nursery based in the coffee bar.  They’ll be well-armed with arts and crafts, books and toys to keep any fidgets occupied during those inevitable moments of boredom when the grown-ups get-together around the lunch table. Please ask for more details, a menu and don’t forget to book early!  Easter will also offer special opportunities here in the kitchen and our team’s creative juices will be flowing to provide some extra-special specials for you and your families’ enjoyment.

The Thin Dog Gallery in Cirencester provides the artwork for our walls.  If you like what you see, please ask us to put you in touch with Caroline who will be delighted to discuss any requirements you may have.  We love showcasing many local talented artists’ work such as Laurie Plant and Carole Condé (Dougall artist) whose canvases are a joy to have around.  We also have a bright and beautiful fish in the lobby painted by talented Tetbury artist Nat Morley and one of her large fish canvases on the first floor of the hotel.

Don’t miss Sunday live music evenings here at The Priory Inn which provide great entertainment and a laid-back start to the week.  This month we are delighted to welcome back Pete Taylor (3rd), Andy Whittle (10th), Kate Mclaren and Cris Tolley (17th) and King Rich (24th). Click here for a full list of forthcoming singer/songwriters »

Tanya Kelly 01/01/2008