Business Profile - Monachyle Mhor
The Lewis family are working hard to ensure that the Trossachs are very much on the foodie map of Britain. MhorFish in Callander, run by Dick Lewis, was voted 'Newcomer of the Year' at the prestigious Observer Food Monthly Awards earlier this year. Television chef and author Rachel Allen was also on location in June to film part of her BBC2 series on baking at Dick's second outlet in town, Mhor Bread. Mhor Tea and Mhor Farm are also linked by the Mhor brand identity moving the business from a trilogy to a quintuplet. 
Mhor Bread is the third venture of the family's Mhor business, building on the high reputation of Monachyle Mhor; the hotel and restaurant run by Brother Tom Lewis, who has carved out a culinary niche in Balquhidder Glen. Sister Melanie Lewis is responsible for styling the business - from web design and photography to bedroom decoration.There is a strong green thread running through all Mhor properties. Local produce sits at the heart of what they do, whether it's venison from Mhor Farm at Balquhidder, seasonal Scottish fish at Mhor Fish or traditional breads and biscuits such as Black Bun, Buttered Bannocks and Perkins at Mhor Bread and Mhor Tea. Now they are turning to green electricity.
Rising electricity costs have led them to invest in wood pellet burning stoves at the Monachyle Mhor. At Mhor Bread they are installing a deck oven from Bakewell Ovens, that will bake the bread and run the central heating for the living accommodation, offices, tea room and shop. They are looking to reduce their electricity costs by 65%. Considering the electricity to run the hotel is currently costing £60,000 a year, this will make a significant impact on the bottom line. Looking beyond the business, Dick is also working with Callander Enterprise exploring ways of becoming a greener town. This is initially focussing on recycling of commercial cardboard waste.
Monachyle Mhor and MhorFish have a strong Scottish market, with a high proportion of repeat business. The Observer award is already generating long term business, much from further afield. However, the Lewises are not sitting still and are looking for opportunities to move the business on. The next project is a demonstration room at MhorFish, as Dick explains: "People are scared to prepare fish, it's an expensive item. We will be showing how to open oysters, fillet fish and be more comfortable cooking this great product. At the end of the demonstration the class will eat the fish they've prepared." The stresses of family businesses are staple fare for film and TV dramas - how do the brothers and sister maintain a balance between work and family life? "We've all got the same goal", laughs Dick. We may have strong feelings and have disagreements, but once a decision is made, we move on. We don't hold grudges."
For the Mhor brand, it seems to be a recipe for success.
Did you know? The company employs 55 staff in total, using local people where possible. This includes six full time builders.
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