The Olive Tree Restaurant, situated within The Queensberry Hotel in Bath, has been awarded the best wine list in the UK, at the AA Hospitality Awards 2014.
The AA Wine Award for England, sponsored by Matthew Clark, was presented to The Olive Tree Restaurant, for their extensive and informative list.
Introduced in 1998, the award recognises and outstanding contribution to promoting wine understanding and appreciation.
Nominees are judged on the quality of their wine list and their ability to inspire customers to make wider and more adventurous choices in selecting wines.
Held on Monday 22nd September at the Grosvenor House London (A JW Marriott Hotel), this year’s ceremony was hosted by Fiona Bruce who presented 23 accolades from 10 categories.
The AA Awards are amongst the most prestigious national awards of their kind and draw on the unrivalled knowledge and expertise of AA inspectorate and other industry professionals involved in the judging process.
Winners are selected in recognition of excellence and success within their award category, having shown a significant improvement within the preceding 12 to 18 months and proving their dedication to raising industry standards and enhancing both their guest and diner experiences.
The Olive Tree Restaurant at The Queensberry Hotel is one of Bath’s longest established independent restaurants, with a 25 year history.
The business was bought by Laurence and Helen Beere in 2003 who created an experience of outstanding modern British food, interesting wines and great service in an informal setting.
Their vision has seen them maintain three AA Rosettes for over three years.
On winning the award, Laurence expressed his joy, saying: “We are delighted to receive recognition for all of the hard work that the team has put in over the years.
“We have always prided ourselves on offering a varied and balanced wine selection and since joining in 2013, Restaurant Manager Joss Rousanne has brought the finishing touches to the list with his passion for interesting and small suppliers that he introduces via our tasting menu.”
Situated in the heart of the West Country, The Olive Tree works with a plethora of local suppliers to create delicious dishes that delight the tastebuds.
Tipped for a Michelin star, Head Chef Chris Cleghorn’s exciting menus hint at his time with Heston Blumenthal & Michael Caines, whilst delivering a Classic British fine dining experience that make the award-winning eatery so popular.
Together with Restaurant Manager Joss, he embraced the ethos of The Olive Tree and moved forward the offering with a tasting menu and accompanying wines.
Whilst it was already held in high esteem, Joss brought a fresh eye to the Wine List and is constantly looking for new and interesting wines to accompany the tasting menu.
