North West accreditation scheme launched to promote regional operators

An accreditation scheme to recognise restaurants who champion local provenance has been launched in the North West.

The Taste Northwest Accreditation Scheme has been developed in association with Quality in Tourism, the assessment service for VisitEngland. It will promote food and drink operations across the region.

The accreditation recognises the quality of food, use of locally and regionally sourced produce and ingredients as well as customer service.

Accredited venues can will feature on Taste Northwest's website and be entitled to enter initiatives such as the Talented Young Chef and Host programme.

Paul Askew, chef patron at The London Carriage Works Liverpool, chair of Liverpool's Restaurant Association and chairman of The Tourism Business Network, said: "People underestimate what is produced in our region as we have world class ingredients and produce to work with to create our dishes, that, coupled with great service, means that we can deliver a quality dining experience with absolute confidence."

Michael Caines, operational partner and director of ABode Hotels and Michael Caines Restaurants, added: "I think it's important for people to learn more about the amazing food culture in the North West and make that a reason for them to visit the region. Taste Northwest's Taste Accreditation scheme will help to celebrate that further and alert people who love food to choose places that support this."

Taste accreditation is an annually renewable scheme that costs up to £300 a restaurant, pub or café.

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By James Stagg

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