*VMF* Revd Pete 'We'll Be Back'

Some more on the VMF restaurant. As a training restaurant they really do need our support in this and I must say, having been there twice - and booked in next week as well - it really is a joy to go, lovely food, great people and so nice to see these youngsters grabbing their chance with both hands and hopefully setting themselves up for life.

Don't forget our offer:



Ha, our very own Revd Pete is quoted on the official site about the VMF restaurant. Not one mention of the outlandishly outstanding company he was in on the night, ooooh no, just all about the food... actually, good point well made Revd!

See our article and offer: www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk

Make sure you're at Villa Park to sample great food and wine this week. Our cracking new restaurant - VMF [Villa Midlands Food] is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a fantastic deal available on all three nights. Our October special offer entitles you to a free bottle of wine per table of four guests during this month. Please quote 'web offer' to take advantage of the tremendous deal. VMF is based in the Directors area of Trinity Road and is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays every week, from 7pm-10pm.

It serves quality food, breaking the rules of tradition and formality with a wide range of influences, tapping into the varied cultures and cuisines within the area. The cost of three courses is only £25. (see our special offer £20 ed)

The long-term aim is to achieve rosette level - a standard which recognises cooking at different levels across the UK.









The quality of the restaurant, opened last week, has already been praised by diners.

Reverend Peter Worth said: 'Myself and my wife have had nights out at some of the top eating spots in Birmingham so staff at Villa should be proud to know that we have not found the service and food we had at VMF surpassed by any of them. The food and polite, attentive service would not have been out of place at some of the best restaurants in the region. You should all take great heart from that. It was absolutely first class. The young gentleman and lady serving our table showed an ability to serve table that belied their age. The food was beautifully cooked, and incredibly well-served, and the atmosphere of the restaurant was absolutely superb. We will be back.'

VMF is more than just a restaurant, however.

The new eatery has its outstanding cuisine and staff all coming from the surrounding area. The club is proud of its close association with people from the region. Now it is giving something back to the local young people in the form of a hospitality training programme for young adults, with the 12 students selected both cooking and serving food in the unique new project. The club have partnered with the city council's Birmingham Apprenticeship Scheme and taken on the trainee hospitality students, all living within a 10 mile radius of Villa Park. The apprentices, who were recruited after support and consultation with cluster groups from the area, will spend two years with Aston Villa Hospitality and Events.

During this time, they will be taking a Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hospitality Services qualification, with the club working with Walsall College as its training provider. The aim of the project is to give experience and a quality work environment to young adults who haven't been given this opportunity before and to use unique and traditional recipes that reflect our relationship with the area. Villa are also training its own staff to be mentors to help out the youngsters, as well as recruiting a manager and expert chef to run the restaurant.

The club, which works closely with its surrounding area and the people within it, is also sourcing 80 per cent of the food used from within a 40 mile radius of Villa Park so it's sustainable too.

Example of menu: VMF - Villa Midlands Food - Training Restaurant

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.