Christmas Eve Dinner

Gloucestershire, December 2017

On a cold Christmas Eve we arrived at a secluded property in the heart of Gloucestershire ready to create an indulgent Christmas Eve dinner for fourteen guests. Unfortunately a white Christmas wasn’t on the forecast; luckily with the help of our very festive supplier we were able to provide a snow covered landscape, complete with our own snowmen and real falling snowflakes.

Tonto lanterns lit the path into the house where beautiful tea lights globes hung from the wooden beams and iron chandeliers above the dining table and the roaring fire created a cosy warmth. There was no mistaking this countryside hideaway.

The table was dressed in a red sparkling runner which glistening against the flickering candles. A stunning centre piece composed on a mirror box filed with fresh and polished ruby red apples was flanked by two smaller mirror boxes filled with foliage and church candles – modern, elegant but homely.

During a champagne reception, we circulated with a selection of mouth watering canapes. Christmas Eve dinner guests were offered a beetroot and coconut veloute with crispy pancetta, followed by a starter of sea bass on roasted squash and garlic puree. Each dish was accompanied by a specifically chosen vintage wine, carefully picked to enhance the flavours of each ingredient. For the mains, a heart red to enhance the roasted vension fillet with quince glazed root vegetables, creamed leek pithivier puff and ruby sauce with buttery colcannon. After a serving of warm gooey chocolate and orange brownie or pantone butter pudding, a selection of cheeses were available for guests to enjoy late into the evening.

As Christmas Day came into view, our guests were able to celebrate together whilst watching the snow falling on the window panes.

To read about the recent summer picnic that we hosted for this client, click here.