insideKENT Magazine Issue 37 - April 2015 | Page 47

FOOD+DRINK
dine in style at

TUDOR PARK
Nuzzled amid Maidstone's idyllic villages and set in over 200-acres of striking parkland,
there are few local retreats better than Tudor Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club. Regarded
as one of the county's best hotels, its welcoming and inclusive culture makes it the ideal
spot to relax, unwind and have some leisurely fun. BY GEMMA DUNN

Tudor Park Marriott Hotel and Country Club is
one of 500 hotels to sit under the prestigious
hospitality umbrella, Marriott International, Inc.
Founded over 80 years ago, this unstoppable
force boasts an impressive (to say the least!)
portfolio of 16 hotel brands across almost 4,000
locations in more than 60 countries. From
luxurious resorts to urban retreats, bold boutiques
to spacious suites, there’s a Marriott hotel brand
as unique as the reasons you travel.
But it's not all about catering for the discerning
traveller, as Marriott's desire to provide an inclusive
environment for locals too, is to be admired.
From first-class golfing and fitness centres to
spas and fine dining, it's world-renowned for
promoting a culture that puts people first – and
at Tudor Park (our local Marriott), the apple
certainly doesn't fall far from the tree.
Whether you're enjoying the 18-hole PGA
Championship golf course, its numerous dining
options, or simply recuperating in the onsite spa,
this four-star abode excels in its bid to offer an
all-round customer experience. On this occasion
(and true to form), our visit was in aid of food,
and our destination: the hotel's stylish restaurant,
Conical Grill.
Open for breakfast and dinner, executive head
chef, Tom Biddle – celebrated for his passion to
serve seasonal, fresh, locally sourced produce
– serves up an exquisite selection of British classic
and contemporary dishes to the backdrop of
rolling greenery and picturesque grounds.
Picking from the new à la carte spring menu,
which included the option to wine pair with Chapel
Down's finest tipples, my guest and I opted for

starters of Kentish blue cheese-topped Portobello
mushrooms, and the suggested pan-fried duo
of duck hash.
The mushrooms, tender and juicy, proved
exceptional paired with a piquant blue cheese,
pickled shallot salad and port reduction, but my
guest's duck hash undoubtedly stole the show.
An elegant, knockout starter, the tender duck
was delicious, served with a poached duck egg
and a luxurious Arabica fig sauce.
In the way of main courses, my grilled Kentish
lamb rump more than warranted its
'recommended' tag. Cooked to perfection and
amid a medley of purée and sautéed veg, the
meat works wonders with its accompanying
lavender jus. In a further nod to provenance, my
guest's herb-crusted Kent pork fillet is a dish to
be commended. Melt-in-the-mouth tender, I've
never experienced (yes, I tried it too!) such a
flavoursome cut, served with braised cavolo nero,
potato fondant, and a gourmet grain mustard
sauce.
Having toyed with the idea of skipping dessert
for a whole two seconds, I made an executive
decision that I was going to have my cake and
eat it too – literally! Offering up exactly what it
said on the tin, I went for the stunning very
chocolate fool – 'very' being the operative word
– while my guest enjoyed the Bluebell Hill honey
panna cotta, matched with a delectable blueberry
sorbet and crunchy lemon shortbread.
When it comes to the triumph of the Conical Grill,
the seamless preparation, passion and fresh
vision certainly contributes, but a huge part of
its recipe to success is the spirit and inclusive

47

nature between the kitchen and front of house
– an aspect that many good restaurants fail to
accomplish. It's this unbeatable ethos that saw
the team win the European Black Box Culinary
Challenge – South England region last year.
Alternative dining options include the hotel's
Mezzanine Bar, in which guests can enjoy lunch,
dinner and drinks from the soon-to-be-branded
Chapel Down bar; and Tudor Park's Zest Bar,
open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Better still,
book up for a glorious cream tea, and pick
between traditional, a special spring tea from
Simpsons Tea, an afternoon tea paired with
Hendricks Gin, or a spectacular strawberrythemed alternative.
For more information, visit
www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/tdmgstudor-park-a-marriott-hotel-and-countryclub. Keep an eye out for upcoming experience
packages including overnight stays too!

Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club
Ashford Road
Bearsted
Maidstone
ME14 4NQ
01622 734334
@TudorPark, @ConicalGrill