“Inn”Ovative borders restaurant tastes success

The Mosspaul Inn at Teviothead in the Scottish Borders has a long history of providing hospitality to visitors. An inn has been situated on the site since the 1700s. Although the building has changed many times over the years, the ethos of the establishment remains the same; to provide a warm welcome, good food and hospitality to its guests. Current owners Steve and Elaine Smith have now extended this remit by providing customers with healthier eating options.

Steve and Elaine decided to apply for the healthyliving award after reading about it in the trade press. After some investigation they realised that their menu was already well on the way to meeting the award criteria.

Elaine said “Although many of our customers come to the Inn for a special occasion or a treat, we are conscious of the need to eat more healthily and we wanted to reflect this in our menu and offer our customers the choice of healthier options as well as more indulgent dishes.”

Elaine and Steve Smith with staff
at the Mosspaul Inn

She continued, “Since we have achieved the healthyliving award we have been genuinely surprised by the increase in the number of customers choosing the healthier options, in particular the healthier desserts like fruit salads.”

Steve and Elaine found that they didn’t have to make too many changes to their menu but they did take the time to work through the requirements of the award. They found this process to be extremely productive as it encouraged them to examine their preparation methods and make positive changes to the food they serve.

They also used this process to train their employees to understand the requirements of the award. All staff are now aware of which dishes are healthy options and what makes them so. To help this process, Steve and Elaine prepared photos and cards with information and pictures of healthy choices and displayed these in the kitchen for staff to refer to as required. Steve was also keen to stress that achieving the award was a team effort and all staff contributed towards the Inn’s success.

He explained, “Achieving the healthyliving award and gaining associated publicity in the local press has definitely increased business and we have also noticed an increase in customers looking for healthier options.”

“Feedback from customers has also been extremely positive. In particular the children’s menu is proving to be very popular, with the majority of comments being that customers are really pleased that it doesn’t include the usual “junk food” but contains “proper food”.

The Mosspaul Inn plans to extend its healthy living programme by promoting more healthy choices. Elaine and Steve also intend to carry out healthy living activities with the local primary school and at the upcoming Borders duathlon.

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Sitemap

healthyliving award • Scottish Consumer Council
Royal Exchange House • 100 Queen Street • GLASGOW • G1 3DN
Phone: 0141 226 5261 • Minicom: 0141 226 8459 • Fax: 0141 221 0731

Website: www.healthylivingaward.co.uk
e-mail: general enquiries: enquiries@healthylivingaward.co.uk
newsletter: coretalk@healthylivingaward.co.uk

If you would like to be added to our newsletter mailing list, or want to know more about the healthyliving award please subscribe here.