November started with a culinary delight when members of the Oxted Gentlemen’s Lunch Club dined on a spectacular menu. The Jerusalem artichoke (generously supplied by one of the diners) velouté and Salt Marsh Lamb were instant favourites, so were the gruyere & bacon twice-baked soufflés and individual winter puddings served with a plum, star anise, and cassis coulis with lashings of homemade vanilla custard.
The Salt Marsh Lamb has a distinctive and special flavour from the unique environment on which the sheep graze; the coastal pastures are rich in wild grasses and herbs including sorrel, samphire and sea lavender and the lamb paired beautifully with roast potatoes, dauphinoise, samphire and winter vegetables. The gentlemen were unanimous in their praise for the exquisite meal. I even got a standing ovation. 😀😀
Plenty of Festive Cheer at our
Tea by the Tree and lunch parties
From early November guests indulged in a luxurious five-course afternoon tea with bubbles, pass the parcel charades, music and holiday cheer! We also hosted families and friends enjoying special lunches to celebrate the time of year.
A Night of Nostalgia at Hever Castle
Early December brought an unforgettable evening in the Hever Castle’s Guthrie Pavilion Restaurant. Guests enjoyed a festive dinner and a performance of The Jersey Boys in an intimate setting. The show transported us back in time with Frankie Vallie & The Four Seasons classics—a truly immersive and nostalgic experience.
An Artistic Excursion
A visit to the National Gallery’s Van Gogh Poet’s & Love Exhibition proved to be a cultural highlight. The day took a delightful turn when we bumped into a TV celebrity (those “of a certain age” will remember him). We shared fascinating conversation about travel, food & wine and enjoyed some of the best Negronis I have ever tasted (at Bentleys in Mayfair). He’s hoping to make a visit to Second-Helpings in the summer
Book Club Christmas Shenanigans!!
Our Book Club Christmas event was an unmissable gathering of sparkle, food, wine, and laughter. We drew snowmen on our heads, blew out candles repeatedly, recited the most ridiculous jokes and conjured up a love story whilst pulling objects out of paper bags!! Needless to say, not one single book was discussed!
Glow Wild @ Wakehurst
A Christmas Eve trip to Wakehurst’s Glow Wild Woodland Trail was THE personal highlight for me this year. The stunning lantern installations and light displays were absolutely magical, even for my teenage granddaughter. If you missed it, make it a must-see next year – book early, I can highly recommend it.
…then disaster struck!
What a time of year for the fibre optic router to break down!! No television or internet from midnight on 22nd December to mid-day on 27th!!! But the silver-lining was two full days of uninterrupted family conversation. Who knew tech-free time could be so refreshing? It was wonderful – I will be unplugging it next year!
Looking ahead
The New Year brings fresh inspiration: more Salt Marsh Lamb recipes, experiments with lobster tails and other new recipes and Spring/Summer brunch menus.
I’m also contemplating a Vorwerk Thermomix investment—stay tuned for updates, and let me know if you’d like to join a demonstration.