A PEMBROKESHIRE hotelier’s 40 years running the award-wining Wolfscastle Country Hotel is celebrated in a book to be launched next month.

The four star hotel is celebrating four decades under the ownership of Andrew Stirling who transformed the former Allt-yr-Afon vicarage into a hotel which first opened its doors on May 1, 1977.

To celebrate, the hotel is hosting two 40th Anniversary celebration dinners on May 18 and 19, these will also mark the release of Andrew’s book, My Life and Other Recipes. Every couple attending the dinners will be given a copy of the book and be entertained by local musicians whilst enjoying a six course dinner.

Andrew grew up in his family’s wine merchant and restaurant businesses and trained in Switzerland, France and Blackpool. He previously managed the St Non’s Hotel in St David’s before embarking on his first solo project four decades ago at Wolfscastle which he now runs with his wife Mandy.

The Liverpool-born proprietor’s book will feature his favourite dishes from a lifetime in hospitality, including many from 40 years of Wolfscastle, which is home to a two AA rosette fine dining restaurant and a brasserie.

“We always try to create good honest food,” said Andrew. “Everything is made on the premises by our seven chefs and we use the best local ingredients available to us, whether it’s simply fish and chips or one of our designer dishes.

“We like to think our menu appeals to both the casual diner who is just wanting to pop and those planning a special occasion.”

A keen squash player Andrew originally opened the hotel with two squash courts, which were later replaced with additional bedrooms and function rooms.

He says he loves the diversity of the trade, the people you meet, both the staff and customers and the sheer adrenalin that gets you started each day

The hotel will soon boast three treatment rooms and a relaxation area for guests.

“I had cancer 27 years ago and found such things as meditation, massage, relaxation and holistic healing aided my recovery,” said Andrew.

“I am thinking of calling the area “a centre of wellbeing”, which hopefully will be a benefit to both guests and locals alike.

“We take pride in what we have achieved in transforming and enlarging what was a fairly humble vicarage into the luxury hotel of today. We could not have done this without the dedication and hard work of so many great people and the support of our customers in Pembrokeshire and beyond.”

For more information on the year’s anniversary celebrations visit www.wolfscastle.com.

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