First UK retirement village wins AA rosette for creative menu and excellent service

The Redwood Bistro at Anchor’s Bishopstoke Park retirement village has been awarded an AA Rosette, making it the first restaurant within a retirement village in the UK to be recognised by such a rating.

To celebrate the prestigious culinary title, the restaurant has now officially opened its doors to the public, allowing members of the local community, as well as residents, to enjoy the award-winning menu on offer.

Kevin Young, general manager at Bishopstoke Park, said: “We reviewed nearly 150 applicants for the role of head chef, with Rob impressing us with his creative menu and passion for excellent service.

“As an ex-chef myself, it has always been a personal ambition to achieve an AA Rosette at Bishopstoke Park and we are delighted to be the first UK retirement village to have done so.

“We are delighted to now be offering a service to the local community, as well as the residents here at Bishopstoke Park.”

Since opening in August 2015, The Redwood Bistro at Bishopstoke Park has provided an ideal venue for residents to dine with family and friends and is open every day for lunch and four evenings a week for dinner.

The 100-cover restaurant boasts a seasonal menu, which changes regularly and also offers child-friendly options, which prove popular with residents’ grandchildren who may be visiting at the weekend or during school holidays.

The kitchen is led by head chef, Rob Quehan, whose experience encompasses the kitchens of some of London’s most prestigious restaurants and hotels, including both The Ivy and The Dorchester.

“It is an honour to have led Bishopstoke Park’s bistro to AA Rosette status, an achievement which is testament to the hard work of all of the staff at the village,” he said.

Current dishes on the menu include local venison loin pan-roasted, served with confit potatoes, braised savoy cabbage and blackberry puree, and pistachio sponge with caramelised pineapple and berry macaroon.

The AA Rosette was awarded following an unannounced visit by the restaurant inspector. The scheme recognises successful cooking at different levels across the UK and only 2,000 restaurants nationwide are of a standard considered worthy of one Rosette and above.

AA Inspector, Paul Hackett, added: “It’s great to see a clear commitment here, where good, well-cooked food is very much the focus. Well done to the team at Bishopstoke Park.”

The village comprises of 91 one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments and an on-site 48 room care home and is currently undergoing a second phase of development, adding a further 73 one- and two- bedroom apartments.

It gives older people the opportunity to live independently and receive care by highly trained professionals if they wish.

In addition to The Redwood Bistro, the village offers several facilities for resident use, including the sensitively restored 19th century Mount, a unique centrepiece that houses a luxurious swimming pool, spa and state-of-the-art wellness centre. Alongside the Mount building is also a contemporary juice bar, delicatessen, general store and craft room.

click here for more details or to contact Bishopstoke Park Village