Starting next month (March), Searcys will “bring in a new era” for the Mr Eddy’s Café and restaurant, as it relaunches with a new look and expanded area for parties and special occasions.
As with the Gardens other three outlets, the menu will be given a “further boost” in line with Searcys’s ethos of “championing British heritage” with seasonal, British and locally-sourced produce utilised whenever possible.
Mr Eddy’s Café will therefore serve dishes such as a trio of Cumberland sausages; baked salmon with sauce vierge, dill and garlic potato cake and vegetables; and a vegetarian option of bean, lentil, Mediterranean vegetables topped with feta cheese. The other outlets will provide picnic-friendly options including homemade sandwiches, salads and cakes.
Chairman of Exbury Gardens, Lionel de Rothschild, said: "Searcys is a strong British brand operating at several iconic locations throughout the UK. Its focus on excellence and attention to detail makes it an ideal choice, and gives us (Exbury Gardens) access to an unparalleled breadth of experience to develop quality and innovative catering at Exbury."
As well as sourcing 90% of all seasonal fruit and vegetables in the UK during the summer and ensuring all eggs are free range, milk is Red Tractor certified and all meat is UK-reared, Searcys is also committed to “supporting the values important to Exbury Gardens.” This includes the withdrawal of all plastic straws from the venue; metal cutlery, china crockery and glassware to be provided for all food consumed in the cafes; and disposable packaging to be avoided where possible, if not “minimised and aligned with strict waste management protocols.”
Matt Thomas, managing director of Searcys, added: “We are delighted to be able to add the stunning Exbury Gardens to our portfolio. This is an incredible opportunity to partner with a landmark British location that shares our commitment to provenance and sustainability.
“Searcys is looking forward to providing the highest level of service in these wonderful surroundings, to help create memorable experiences together for our customers.”