FLAVOUR OF THE MONTH!

Tell us about your family life
I'm actually a twin. I'm a scorpio,so although I'm quite laid back I do have a sting in my tail! I'm a farmer's daughter and live in Harworth with my husband Nigel. We will be celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary next year. We have two children, who are 16 and four. My daughter Laura works in the restaurant as a waitress and hopes to work on the airlines one day on the cabin crew. My twin Sue has taken a very different career path. She's a HGV lorry driver!



How did you become a chef?
I started as a commis chef at the age of 18 after doing a two-year course at Worksop Catering College. By the time I was 21 I was second chef and got promoted to my current position about six years later.

Are you part of a big team?
Yes, we have a pretty large team as it is a very busy kitchen. We have eight chefs plus five kitchen porters. It's like one big family, really. I love the job and couldn't imagine working anywhere else.

What is your daily routine?
I'm always in the kitchen for 7.30am, as there is such a lot of preparation to get through. I usually leave the hotel at about 2.30pm for a few hours' break but I'm back in the kitchen again from 6pm until about 10.30pm. Sometimes later ... Occasionally I get the chance to promote the hotel. For example, I've been on BBC Radio Sheffield's 'Saturday Kitchen', talking through some of me recipes and sampling some of our dishes.

What makes a good Head Chef?
Being calm! My kitchen is nothing like some of the ones you see on television, when everyone seems to be shouting and screaming. I must admit I'm the calmest chef you could ever meet. I'm also hardworking - there's no other way. To get the best results you must appreciate and respect your team, it's as simple as that.

How have things changed?
The Crown has always been a traditional hotel serving traditional food, but we have introduced a modern twist which has been a huge success. Another important development has been the introduction of local produce and we enjoy an excellent working relationship with our dedicated suppliers. Progressing from a three-star to a four-star hotel has taken a massive amount of work but it is a fantastic achievement by all the staff. I've worked alongside Craig (Dowie), the boss, for six years and we have a great deal of mutual respect for one another.


Biggest cooking influence?
Mum – always something on the table day and night.



Favourite celebrity chef?
It's got to be Gordon Ramsey. he's much louder than me but what you see is what you get. He's entertaining and very passionate about his food, which is the most important thing.

Key to the restaurant's success?
Team work is vital and I enjoy an excellent relationship with our Restaurant Manager Amanda Pashley. The service in our restaurant is impeccable and everyone is given individual attention from the moment they arrive. Apart from our regular menu we offer a range of specials which help to keep things interesting.

If you got a Saturday night off what would you do?
Go into Bawtry with my girlfriends for a few drinks or order a Chinese, open a bottle of wine and watch a movie. Pretty Woman is my favourite!

What do you most enjoy out of work?
I love a day at the races. The Crown works in partnership with Doncaster Racecourse so I often get the chance to represent the hotel when we sponsor a race there. If I'm not going to the races I love going out for a Chinese meal.

CROWN HOTEL KEEPS GUESTS FITTER

Guests at The Crown Hotel in Bawtry are feeling fitter, thanks to a new partnership with the local gym.

The award-winning hotel has joined forces with Bawtry Health and Fitness Studios to offer visitors the chance to work out during their stay.

Guests can now purchase an exclusive one-day pass to the Church Walk gym, which is less than 100 meters from the hotel.

Crown managing director Craig Dowie, who took part in a world record breaking fitness marathon at the studios in June, said: "The facilities at Bawtry Health and Fitness Studio are second to none, and the day passes are already proving a big hit with our health conscious guests."

Gym owner Luke Walker adds: "We had pop group Boyzone using our facilities when they stayed at The Crown during their tour rehearsals earlier in the summer, and they loved it. Other guests are really enjoying using our equipment and we have an in-house personal trainer to help those who are more serious about their fitness."

Bawtry Health & Fitness Studios are located in the redeveloped 19th Century Methodist Chapel. The gym is set over three levels, offering modern training facilities in a relaxed and helpful environment.
The 35-station club is also equipped with Technogym cardiovascular equipment, resistance equipment and a selection of free weights. Downstairs is a relaxation room for pre and post workout stretching and floor exercises.
Bawtry Health and Fitness Studios are open from 7am - 9pm weekdays and 9am - 3pm at weekends.

CROWN HOTEL TURNS ON THE STYLE

Pictured above: Second year students during a visit to the Bawtry hotel to get a feel for their task


Staff at The Crown Hotel will be looking even more fashionable this summer, thanks to a group of Doncaster students.

Youngsters on the BA Hons Fashion & Textile Design course at Doncaster College have been challenged to create new uniforms for The Crown Hotel, Bawtry and its sister hotel, The Rutland Hotel in Sheffield.


"I want them to come up with something that is smart but trendy, reflecting the contemporary style of both The Crown and The Rutland," says Hotel Director Craig Dowie. "They have already developed some exciting ideas and I am looking forward to seeing my staff wearing the new designs later this year”.

Already the Doncaster College students have proven they have the flair to rise to just about any challenge. They designed an evening dress for opera singer Claire Groom's performance at the Royal Opera House in London; theatrical attire for the complete cast of The Marat Sade, which toured around Yorkshire; and even completed the design and manufacture of the Doncaster Dragons Rugby Club mascot.

The students also showcased their latest work at the annual Doncaster College and University Centre Doncaster Fashion Show on 21st and 22nd May which the Crown Hotel were delighted to support in their commitment as partner to the Doncaster College. The event was attended by buyers, stylists, Saville Row tailors, local and national press and designers including Simon Parchment, who has worked with Dizzee Rascal, Minni Driver and Kelly Rowland.

POP STARS MOVE INTO BAWTRY

Boyzone, who will perform at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday (6th June), became Bawtry residents during rehearsals for their eagerly-awaited 'Better' tour.

The Irish chart toppers, who kicked off their tour in Belfast last week, spent four nights at The Crown Hotel, Bawtry and even worked out at the Bawtry Health and Fitness Studio during their second stay in the town.

Head Chef Caroline Rhodes, who is pictured above cuddling up to Ronan Keating, said: "The boys were great. They remembered the staff from when they stayed with us last year and made a real fuss of our restaurant manager Amanda Pashley.

"They were happy to chat to residents after their long rehearsals and the female members at the local gym couldn't believe their eyes when they turned up to keep their lovely bodies in shape."

Boyzone, who arrived in Bawtry with a fleet of tour buses and took up more than 50 rooms at The Crown, were rehearsing at the same secret location near Doncaster they used in preparation for last year's re-union tour.

Fans who flock to Sheffield Arena will see the full original line-up of Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch, Mikey Graham and Keith Duffy. Formed in 1994, the Irish superstars racked up 16 consecutive top five hits including six number ones, and have sold over 15 million albums.

CROWN BOSS SLIMS FOR WORLD RECORD BID

Pictured above (from left to right): Mark Goodwin, Abbey Eyewear of Tickhill; Gill Starr; Simon Boguszewski, Vice Chairman of the Yorkshire Kidney Research Fund and Craig Dowie, Crown Hotel of Bawtry.

Crown Hotel boss Craig Dowie is pinching an inch to play a part in a world record attempt this summer.

Craig intends to slim down his expanding waistline by taking part in a 125-mile night cycle ride at Bawtry Health and Fitness Studio.

The 24-hour event on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th June is part of an Ultra Fitness World Record attempt to benefit the Bawtry hotel's adopted charity supportsimon.com, which aims to raise vital cash for the Yorkshire Kidney Research Fund.
"As I never have time to exercise properly, my 36-inch waist trousers have become very tight and I realise I need to do something about it," said Craig, whose hotel will raise funds for supportsimon.com throughout 2009 through a host of fundraising events. "This is a great opportunity to get involved in a record-breaking challenge, get fit and at the same time raise some money for a brilliant charity."

Craig, who will be joined and coached by Crown housekeeper and former Bawtry Health Club worker Gill Starr, is looking for sponsors to back him for every mile he pedals - or for every inch he loses off his waistline during the nine-hour marathon, and sponsorship forms for both Craig and Gill's challenge can be downloaded from the hotel's web site crownhotel-bawtry.com.

Supportsimon.com is a unique fundraising web site launched in 2007 by Simon Boguszewski and his daughter Jasmine, who at the age of nine recovered from a life-threatening kidney illness.

Since her recovery Simon, Jasmine and their family, of Bawtry, Doncaster have worked tirelessly to raise much-needed money for the Yorkshire Kidney Research Fund and aim to top their target of £6,000 by the end of the year.

Simon, together with fellow gym member Mark Goodwin, plans to work his way through a punishing 24-hour fitness schedule to set the new Ultra Fitness World Record - and the Crown's managing director Craig will be helping them on their way by pedalling back into a smaller suit.

Apart from the cycle ride, Simon and Mark will run a half-marathon carrying a 50lb rucksack, which they will also carry on a 10km speed walk. They will then x-train a full marathon, row a half-marathon, and complete a series of grueling work-outs including 1,000 press-ups , 1,250 bench step-ups and a lift of 250,000lbs (113 tonnes) of weight.

The big event will be followed by a Father's Day Sports Persons Dinner at The Crown Hotel on 21st June to raise more vital funds, and the charity is appealing to local businesses to provide auction prizes or to sponsor the world record attempt. Already supporting The Crown and Bawtry Health and Fitness Studio are Abbey Eyewear of Tickhill, Bawtry Mayflower School, Bawtry Church Hall and Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

FLYING FILLY PRODUCES ANOTHER BOLD SHOW

Sills Vincero, one of a team of racehorses sponsored by The Crown, produced another bold show at Wolverhampton on Monday (30th March) when she took on older horses for the first time in a competitive five-furlong handicap.
Despite being the only three-year-old in the line-up, the daughter of Piccolo led for much of the way, only to be worn down in the final 50 yards, finishing a creditable third in the hands of top jockey Paul Hanagan.
Stable companion Wibbadune, also owned by Simon Mapletoft Racing and trained by Derek Shaw at Newark, ran in the same race but was unable to get competitive from her wide draw, under a big weight. She will now switch to the turf in the hope of supplementing her three wins on quick ground last summer.
Meanwhile, ex-Irish sprinter Circle Dance, another Wolverhampton winner for Simon Mapletoft, is set to return in a five-furlong handicap at Nottingham in mid-April.

CROWN HOSTS WEDDING OF THE YEAR

The Crown Hotel at Bawtry provided the setting for the most unusual and talked about wedding of the year – but it was a race against the clock!

After beating thousands of hopefuls to win a dream wedding lucky listener Trina Middlebrook won Hallam FM's 'Get me to the church on time' contest for a £20,000 all-expenses-paid dream wedding to fiancé Shaun Hill.

On Friday 20th March the bride, Trina Middlebrook of Rossington, with the aid of Michelle from the Hallam FM breakfast show, trecked all the way from Gretna Green to the Crown Hotel and arrived at 2.25pm where the groom and all her friends and family were waiting. Arriving 25 minutes late meant that she had to walk down the isle to 90’s pop tune Mmm Bop by Hanson and all the Champagne was replaced by budget lager.

It was an amazingly exciting day for everyone but especially Trina who not only blagged a free lunch from a service station and free train tickets from York but also rode in huge monster truck and was delivered to the wedding on the back of a Harley Davidson along with a convoy of Harley Davidsons.

Craig Dowie, Director of The Crown Hotel, who helped to put the competition together, adds: “The build-up and the response to the day has been amazing. I can’t thank the Hallam FM team enough and all the companies that supported us on the day. I am sure we will be talking about this wedding for a long time to come.”

See Trina and Shaun's big day on www.hallamfm.co.uk