The Tearoom at the WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre has been recognized for their high standards of hygiene, cleanliness and food safety with an Eat Safe Award.
The Eat Safe award promotes excellence in food hygiene in catering businesses and is administered by Local Authority Environmental Health Departments in conjunction with Food Standards Scotland.
Eligible establishments are assessed for the award as part of scheduled food hygiene inspections, carried out by Officers of Dumfries and Galloway Council`s Environmental Health Service.
Brian Morrell, Centre Manager said: “The WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre is busy at this time of year not only with hundreds of swans and thousands of geese and ducks, but also large numbers of visitors who also flock to the reserve to take in the amazing spectacle. Even more so this year after the hugely successful BBC Autumn watch series which was recently hosted by WWT at Caerlaverock.“
“On average just over 2 million viewers tuned in every evening from across the UK to watch the best of British wildlife in autumn and especially our geese and swans. It has really put this region on the map as a wildlife watching destination. “
“Many people know about our conservation success stories, especially our work with the barnacle geese, the entire Svalbard breeding population which winter here on the Solway, but not that many are aware of the great visitor facilities that we have. We have many towers, hides and even a heated observatory to watch the birds and we also have an excellent Visitor Centre featuring our Coffee Shop serving hearty soups, meals, snacks, delicious home baking and speciality coffees and tea. We source as many of our ingredients as we can from local producers and serve fair trade teas and coffees. Recently the BBC presenters were regular guests in the coffee shop for the mouth-watering cakes and Chris Packham even tweeted a photo of his favourite carrot cake. Gill Wyllie and her team have built up a reputation for first class standards of food preparation and service and we are proud to have been awarded the Eat Safe Award promoting excellence in food hygiene.”
Councillor Colin Smyth, Chairman of the Council’s Economy, Environment and Infrastructure Committee said: “I would like to offer my congratulations to the staff at the Tearoom within the WWT Caerlaverock Wetland Centre for all their hard work and for their ongoing commitment to food hygiene. In our region 51 premises have obtained this award so far and Environmental Health officers are working with many more in an effort to drive up food standards and protect people living, working and visiting our region.”
For more information and a full list of all the food businesses that hold the Eat Safe award, visit www.eatsafe.gov.uk
Present in the picture are Brian Morrell (Centre Manager), Sarah Smith, Gillian Wyllie (Trading Supervisor) and Carina Wyllie.
