A commitment to sourcing high quality local produce and providing first
class service has paid off for the team at a leading Derbyshire hotel and
restaurant with a first place in the county’s food awards.The Peacock at Rowsley was awarded the Restaurant of the Year Award in the
Derbyshire Food and Drink Awards which are run each year by Derbyshire
County Council.

Designed to spotlight the high quality and broad range of local produce
available in the county, the awards also act as a showcase for the high
standards in the industry across the county.

The Peacock was given pride of place in the restaurant stakes after
receiving visits from mystery shoppers who assessed the restaurant and
hotel on its quality of food and drink, customer service, the use of local
produce and highlighting such produce on the menu.

This title came just months after the hotel received its second rosette
from the AA.  Ian Mackenzie who manages the hotel with his wife Jenni said:
“We have moved from having no rosettes to two in just 15 months which is
quite an achievement.  We have made a real commitment to source as much
local produce as possible and we do believe it is important to highlight
this on our menu.”

“Our experience of the hotel and restaurant world combined with the
culinary skill of our young chef Matthew Rushton who joined us in August
2003 helped us to achieve the AA rating and now this county award,” Ian
added.

The hotel is owned by Lord Edward Manners and his estate, the nearby Haddon
Hall, is instrumental in supplying game and venison to the restaurant.

Lord Edward is delighted with this latest success for the hotel as he
explains: “Ian and Jenni MacKenzie have worked hard to put The Peacock back
on the map since the estate took it back into family ownership from Jarvis
Hotels two years ago.  The hotel accommodation has gained very favourable
reviews since it was restyled by international designer, India Mahdavi.
Matthew’s work with other restaurants, including time with Gordon Ramsay,
has helped to create an exciting menu and made The Peacock a sought-after
restaurant with its two AA rosettes and the county Restaurant of the Year
title.”
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