On A Search for Local Produce, Proto visit’s Lancing College…
On the 17th September Andy Sparsis founder of Proto Restaurant Group met with Jon Hutcheon, Farm Manager of Lancing College. With a search for new local produce Proto Restaurant Group arranged a visit. Proto Restaurant Group have always liked to keep their food suppliers local and Sussex based. Lancing College run a farm project across 70 acres of the South Downs. Students of the college that are interested in farming or veterinary care get an amazing opportunity to come face to face with the animals. The college also provides classroom learning as well as the practical training. Students learn many different traditional and modern farming practices. The farm produces many different products to sell to local butchers and businesses. Proto Restaurant Group are planning to bring some of their great produce to our menus in all our restaurants very soon. How exciting! Now that is what we call real local produce don’t you agree…
For the past 30 years Lancing College has been sowing seeds of knowledge into the hearts of students. Back in 1983 the college started ploughing the foundations of this great project. In 2015 the farm has now come a long way and we were very impressed when we paid them a visit. They are now breeding more animals than ever before. There are a variety of sheep, some rare pigs and many different kinds of poultry. Attending to these animals on a daily basis is a new and interactive way for students to learn and develop invaluable skills. There are other courses the college offers that include hands on experience. If you are a student studying Biology, Geography or Business Studies you get to go on a journey outside with an educational experience.
Proto Restaurant Group is excited to be beginning this new journey with Lancing College. We are also proud to be backing this local education project that will bring brilliant minds to Sussex in the future. Our ethos has always been to keep our suppliers local, cook amazing food and keep our customers happy. With this new venture we can walk proudly through the streets of Worthing and say this is what makes Proto Restaurant Group truly great.
Next time you pop into one of our restaurants don’t be shy to ask where our ingredients are sourced from. Our staff are always willing to talk about what we cook, how we cook it (unless it is a secret recipe of course!) and they are also very proud to let you know we source ingredients locally.
