AN ONLINE restaurant reservation system is to be introduced at the Culloden Estate and Spa, according to the hotel's food and beverage manager. Peter McAlister has just spent a week in a top chef's New York restaurants as part of his prize for being named UK Restaurant Manager of the Year and is determined to implement many of the practices he saw in the Big Apple.
He said his time at Daniel Boulud's Dinex Group in Manhattan had been an incredible experience. "I was in restaurants ranging from three Michelin stars to casual dining in a neighbourhood restaurant in lower Manhattan and it was a great opportunity because it also happened to be New York restaurant week so the restaurants were extremely busy and it was great to see them when they were at full capacity seven days in a row," he said. "I was picking up different ideas, whether it comes from the menu, different food produce, seeing what the latest cocktail trends are." One of the things that struck him was the fact 90 per cent of bookings at Boulud's restaurants are made online and he is encouraged that Hastings Hotels can benefit too. "One thing I can't wait to get installed is our online reservation system," he said. "People, because of their smartphones, are able to access restaurants in their location close by. People are so savvy with iPhones and laptops and iPads." On his return this week The Academy of Food and Wine Service held a special gourmet dinner and wine evening at the Culloden as part of its commitment to supporting Mr McAlister.