每年,都有超过500家餐厅,宾馆,咖啡店申请"品尝苏格兰"的会员资格。"品尝苏格兰"是一个享有盛誉的俱乐部,无论是饭店经理还是大厨都乐此不疲地想成为这个俱乐部的会员,以此让公众相信他们的餐厅是整个苏格兰最好的饕餮之处。正因为如此,苏格兰的美食美酒不仅仅只在那些五星级餐厅才能享受到。
Every year over 500 restaurants, hotel dining rooms, bistros, brassieres, and cafes apply for
membership of A Taste of Scotland. It is a prestigious club and managers, owners and chefs all want to become members,
offering public recognition that this is one of the best places to eat in Scotland.
Quality food and fine dining in Scotland is therefore not reserved to the very expensive five star restaurants. In order to apply for
membership the priority is a commitment to the very best fresh Scottish produce, skilfully prepared, cooked and presented. Applying for
membership is the first step but you cannot buy your way in on a promise and a prayer. No establishment may be included without having passed a visit and report by a Taste of Scotland
inspector. Their evaluation is based on very
strict guidelines and points of criteria. The 14
inspectors all have a professional background in hotels, restaurants and catering industry and training and recruitment is rigorous to ensure
consistency in the assessment process.
The points of criteria and guidelines for
inspectors are all part of very rigid appraisal system so that each restaurant is judged on the same terms. The crucial concern is commitment to serving fresh, seasonal, locally grown produce wherever possible. Quality is a key word with
freshly prepared meals being cooked and served to the highest standard
appropriate to the
category of the establishment.
The overall menu should be well balanced and illustrate the use of fresh foods throughout each course. Depending on whether it is a hotel or restaurant, all meals are assessed, breakfast, lunch and dinner to show
consistency of quality. Descriptions on a menu must be accurate and
truthful - ie
freshly squeezed orange juice does not come out of a carton!.
For main meals, attractive
presentation is an important attribute and back to attention to detail. Culinary skills are assessed by the quality,
texture, temperature, flavour, taste, balance and overall
creative imagination of each dish. Inspectors are not food critics as such. Subjective opinion is not
relevant in terms of what kinds of food they may wish to choose. The criteria is simple, fresh, Scottish ingredients, well prepared and served. The wine list is also noted for knowledge and good selection.
The
inspector reveals his or her
identity at the end the meal or
overnight stay and immediately gives a
verbal appraisal. A full report is then completed and based on this and other considerations and views, the restaurant either fails or passes the test for A Taste of Scotland
membership. Constructive criticism and advice is offered if a restaurant fails the mark in certain areas so that they can improve standards and try again the next year.
Out of the 500 establishments who apply for
membership, around 400 usually make the grade. And all those great places to eat and stay in this year's guide will have to apply again for
membership for the following year. Once again the
inspector calls....
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