Alfresco Food Festivals

Our food festival is a bi-annual event, and is run in the Parkland that surrounds the hotel.

The essence of the event is to bring to life the connection between the Yorkshire countryside, the ingredients growing in it, and the food on our plates – showcasing “gate to plate” in our beautiful surroundings.

The view over the castle and Home Lake from the Deer Park kitchen Print Making at the Full Moon café The Felt Tent at the Full Moon café The Full Moon café The Felt Tent at the Full Moon café
Betty Lupton's Ladle Laikers ladies' Morris team Children's Cookery Workshop at the Deer House Wishing Tree Wishes at the Tree Dressing Competition The water's edge at Top Lake The Standing Stones at Top Lake
Raku Pottery at the Full Moon café Raspberry picking in the Walled Garden An Alfresco chef with produce in the Walled Garden Admiring the Birds of Prey at the Falconry Display Apples and making juice in the Deer House

 

The focus is very much on food throughout the day, with alfresco kitchens set up at the clay oven beside deer house, in the parkland and woodland overlooking the lakes, and in the walled garden. We normally offer a four or five course meal, with different courses being served at each kitchen, along with morning coffee and afternoon tea. Every dish champions Yorkshire produce, sourced either from the parkland, our walled garden or surrounding countryside, or wild food foraged from the estate. Visitors to the event are given tokens for two courses of the meal, with extra vouchers available for additional courses.

Yorkshire produce is on sale in the Gourmet Food Marquee, along with a demonstration cookery theatre. Food producers also run demonstrations throughout the day, with hands on opportunities for visitors – such as making apple juice, making butter and cheese, and wine tasting. A Real Ale bar offers refreshments in the Deer House, and tours on Foraging for Wild Food and Growing Your Own Produce in the Walled Garden run at scheduled times in the grounds throughout the day.

There is also an Artisan Craft area, with opportunities for visitors to learn rural skills such as making garlands, corn dollies, felt, prints and pottery. Children are also well catered for with face painting, pony rides, falconry displays, and cookery workshops.

The 2010 Festivals will be held on 31st May and 12th September, the Spring event celebrating new life and the Autumn event celebrating the harvest.

 

 

 

 


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