Wheatsheaf wins first rosette

9:40am Friday 18th July 2008

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Landlord Lee Rowbotham certainly knew what he was doing when he took on chef Carl Semple to steer a new future for his Brigsteer gastro-pub.

In 2005, the 27-year-old was named the county’s “most inspiring chef” in Cumbria Tourism’s skills awards.

Now, a mere two months since his appointment, Carl’s talented ways in the kitchen have earned The Wheatsheaf its first AA rosette. What’s more, when the inspector put in her unannounced appearance, Lee was actually away on holiday. But that didn’t stop Carl and his team cooking up a storm – and keeping a cool head when they got wind that an inspector might be in the restaurant (visits are anonymous but suspicions are usually aroused by a lone diner asking a lot of questions).

The team had planned to surprise their boss with the good news on his return but Lee was tipped off about the rosette so he rang home to find out what was going on.

“What the AA says makes you stand out as a good local restaurant,” said a delighted Lee who has worked hard to put his hostelry on the local eating map since he took it on more than five years ago.