Whether it is wild cooking over hot coals or murder-mystery meals onboard glamorous trains, immersive dining has become something of a thing of late. It seems that we can’t get enough of inventive, experiential culinary events, meaning that they are now intrinsically part of the world of hospitality.
A Sky Full of Stripes at Beaverbrook.
Championing this trend and combining it with the joy of al fresco dining is the historic country house Beaverbrook in Surrey. There’s no better way to signal the onset of the summer season, than the return of its traditional seasonal dining experience in collaboration with luxury table dressers, Summerill & Bishop.
‘A Sky Full of Stripes’ is the second collaboration with Summerill & Bishop, following on from the ‘Love is in the Air’ theme of 2023. The brand is known for creating luxury tablecloths, and its partnerships with artisans from around the world, with a flagship store in Holland Park, and a second outpost in Belgravia. Its mission, it says, “is to gather friends and family around the table, inspiring conversation, connection, and debate.”
Elegant summer-time dining.
Connecting with friends and family at Beaverbrook’s convivial summer gourmet experience is not difficult. Set in the historic mansion’s Italian Garden, diners are seated in one of six stationary hot air balloons, which are embroidered with playful stripes, in raspberry red and rose pink.
The Sashimi starter.
The menu, curated by Beaverbrook’s executive development chef, Wojciech Popow, is inspired by authentic Japanese cuisine. To start there is an iced dish of Takumi Sashimi, including Bluefin Tuna, aged in-house for seven to 14 days, as well as Hokkaido Cold Water Scallops, Loch Duart Salmon, Wild Cornish Red Mullet and Japanese Ceviche. The main course is focused on the Yakiniku grill, which is bought to the table and where guests grill their own vegetables and fine cuts of meat and fish, including Kyushu Island Wagyu, West Country Lamb, Royal Windsor Park Fallow Deer and Acorn-fed Iberian Pork. Finally, a Japanese Baked Alaska, in raspberry red and rose colours, is the final flourish to the meal.
Designed to complement the meal, Moet & Chandon have curated a Grand Vintage Champagne Flight, designed with a trio of vintages, including a Brut Imperial to start, vintage Brut 2015 and Rose 2015.
Gathering together at A Sky Full of Stripes.
The Victorian mansion set in 400 acres of countryside, is best known for being the former home to Lord Beaverbrook, press baron, war-time MP and confidente to Churchill. This year’s jaunty balloon stripes give a nod to the French Riveria, and his heritage, to reflect how Lord Beaverbrook once brought chic inspirations from the continent to the architecture of the House.
The Main House: full of history but still evolving.
Since its launch as a luxury hotel, Beaverbrook has constantly evolved with new openings and offerings. The latest is The Village (which opened in December 2023), and sees a new collection of 21 guest rooms across a collection of 10 cottages.
Meanwhile, for those looking to sate their hunger for other immersive culinary events this summer, Taste Film offers unique dining events to accompany film screenings; while Gingerline is a pioneeer in inventive dining productions, such as the recent The Grand Expedition, which was an edible journey fusing live animation, acrobatics, culinary invention and dramatic set design. “We push the boundaries of what a dining experience can be; offering something for all imaginations.” The Great Murder Mystery, by The Lost Estate, on the other hand, fuses music, theatre and fine dining with a mystery to be solved. Designed, no doubt, to whet your appetite.