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Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow has just had 180,000 new guests check in.
And they are all bees.
Executive Head Chef, Zoltan Szabo has instructed for three bee hives to be installed on the roof of the hotel.
The aim is to boost the hotel’s eco credentials and provide a supply of honey for the hotel.
Apparently, a honey bee visits 50 to 100 flowers and plants during a collection trip.
The Blythswood bees help pollinate Blythswood Gardens, Kelvingrove Park and the Forth and Clyde Canal among other locations. The honey produced features on the hotel’s food menu.
Honey raffle
The landmark city centre hotel is also raffling off a large jar of the bees’ honey to aid Glasgow Children’s Hospital in time for Christmas.
The hotel has pledged to support Glasgow Children’s Hospital throughout 2017. They are raffling off a large jar of honey until 12 December with all proceeds going to the children’s charity.
Blythswood Square’s Executive Head Chef, Zoltan Szabo said: ‘I am delighted to welcome the bees to our hotel. Many of our guests have already enjoyed the honey coming directly from these hives.
‘I am also thrilled we are able to contribute to the local environment in such a positive way as well as supporting the work of Glasgow’s Children’s Hospital. We are always looking at ways to support local worthwhile cause. We thought our bees provided a unique opportunity to do something different.
‘Guests and visitors to the hotel are encouraged to get involved in our raffle. It really is a money can’t buy prize and something very special to enjoy over the festive period. We would urge anyone passing by the hotel in the coming days to pay us a visit and take part.’
You can book in to the Restaurant at Blythswood via 5pm Dining.
We also have a Big Deal on afternoon tea for two at The Salon in Blythswood Square. Ideal if you are looking for an elegant Christmas present.
Food news in Edinburgh
If we head over to the East Coast, the Spanish tapas restaurant Cafe Andaluz is now taking bookings for its new George IV Bridge site.
The new Edinburgh restaurant joins the existing Cafe Andaluz on George Street and the Cafe Andaluz branches in Glasgow city centre and West End.
Finally, Roy Brett of Ondine seafood restaurant is promising a new development in 2018. In the latest edition of his Briny newsletter, the chef has announced that he is embarking on a new venture in Newhaven along with his friend and fish supplier Gary Welch.
Keep checking back to the 5pm Dining blog for more food news from Glasgow and Edinburgh.