Member Article

The Westwood celebrates a stunning win at the prestigious REYTAs

The award-winning Westwood Restaurant in Beverley in East Yorkshire celebrates its 10th anniversary this year – and is now planning for another equally successful decade.

Twins Matt and Michele Barker, who own and run the Westwood, opened their restaurant in 2007, embarking on a journey which has led to a host of awards and an entry into the coveted Michelin Guide.

The latest award came just days ago when The Westwood was named the best restaurant in Hull and the East Riding in the prestigious Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs).

Head Chef Matt explained: “This award is the culmination of an amazing roller-coaster of a journey. Over the years we have built up a devoted and discerning clientele, not just in Beverley and Hull, but also in North Yorkshire and across the Humber Bridge. Our local customers have supported us from the very start and this has helped us enormously. This win makes our 10th anniversary year very special.

“It has been a very eventful and exciting 10 years since we first launched our restaurant close to the centre of our town. We have worked incredibly hard to make the Westwood a success but, being totally honest, this success has surpassed our expectations.

“However, there is no way we are going to be complacent – or rest on our laurels. Our philosophy has always been to invest in our business to ensure that our guest experience is unrivalled in the Beverley area.

“We are determined that our inspiration and our passion is reflected in the Westwood, day in day out. This inspiration comes from travelling, working hard, meeting people and eating out. We cannot stand still.

“It is so important to keep the Westwood relevant – and abreast of the industry trends. We pay attention to detail, such as the layout of the menus and wine lists, the design of our furniture and the art work on our walls, as well ensuring that the quality of our food is exemplary and unrivalled in the area,” said Matt.

Michele continued: “There is no Westwood without our staff. They are absolutely crucial and we pride ourselves in inspiring loyalty. We are committed to ongoing staff training and education in all aspects of our business.

“Our philosophy has stood us in good stead since we opened in 2007 and it is crucial to maintain and enhance the standards we have set. In some ways, this is the hardest job of all – and our biggest challenge over the next 10 years, together with growing the size of our business.

“It is so important to listen to customers, be flexible towards the demographic we serve and be willing to adjust quickly.

“We have exciting plans in place to ensure that we build on the success of the past 10 years and encourage new customers from across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire to enjoy the unique Westwood experience,” she explained.

Matt added: “To stay relevant, you must keep changing your menu, your service and your space, but – at the same time – it is essential to keep the core and the soul of your business the same. It’s a delicate balance, and one we strive daily to achieve at the Westwood.”

Over the years, the Westwood has won a number of awards. Apart from the entry into the 2017 Michelin Guide and the REYTAs, the restaurant have featured in the Sunday Times as one of the best family-run restaurants in the UK and was a close runner-up in the prestigious White Rose Awards.

In addition the Westwood was named as one of the 2016 Top 100 Fit for Foodies restaurants in the UK by Open Table diners, one of only two Yorkshire restaurants to make this illustrious list. The Fit For Foodies awards are based on more than 300,000 reviews submitted by verified Open Table diners at more than 4,900 restaurants across the UK. This list reflects their pick of favourite restaurants in the Fit for Foodies category.

Since 2007, The Westwood has become one of the most popular restaurants in East Yorkshire. It is just a short walk from the Westwood Pasture in Beverley, offering stunning views of the black mill, the racecourse and Beverley Minster.

Set in the grounds of Beverley’s former Grade II listed Georgian courthouse, The Westwood’s contemporary interior blends beautifully with the period features and charm of this historic building.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .