Brasserie's name is a recipe for success (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Brasserie's name is a recipe for success

10:30am Tuesday 22nd November 2011 in East Winchester By Warwick Payne

IT stands at the gateway to Winchester and now has a brand new identity.

Morn Hill Brasserie is the new name for the award-winning restaurant at the Holiday Inn.

Having opened early last year, the venue has already scooped an AA rosette for its cuisine. It is the only hotel in the UK chain to boast the accolade.

What it lacked, however, was a catchy name, so it asked customers for suggestions.

More than 50 entries were received and the winning one came from Theresa Read of Fair Oak.

As the hotel stands at Morn Hill beside the Percy Hobbs roundabout, she suggested Morn Hill Brasserie.

“I nearly didn’t send it in just because I thought it was far too obvious,” she said.

But it was exactly what hotel bosses wanted, and they invited her to the naming ceremony on Thursday (November 17).

She was joined by special guests Cllr Barry and Mrs Christine Lipscomb, the mayor and mayoress of Winchester.

Powerboat racer Shelley Jory-Leigh was also amongst the 35 guests welcomed by hotel manager Siobhan Thomasson.

She said: “The Holiday Inn Winchester has been open for over a year and our restaurant has grown in popularity. We felt it was now time for it to have its own identity.

“As well as loving the name I am delighted to have welcomed head chef, Paul Bentley to the hotel. He has already worked at a high level in hotel restaurants and I know he will provide our diners with a great experience.”

The venue is also trialling a new hi-tech way to help diners chose the ideal wine to accompany their meals.

Blackberry computers are placed on each table to show the wine list, which is updated as the cellar stock changes.

Call 01962 670700 for more details about the Morn Hill Brasserie.