Chris Delaney, Head Chef of privately owned 18th century mansion, Close House Hotel in Northumberland has launched the calendar for his seven course Degustation Tasting Menu, kicking off on March 18th 2010, for the gourmet traveller to enjoy. The seven course menu will be available for these exclusive dates only, and will be served with carefully selected pairing wines. The tasting menu will include dishes from the new seasons a la carte menu and will be served in the award winning Berwicke Restaurant. The evenings are expected to be very popular, so early booking is advised. £69.95 per person or £49.95 without the wine selection.

For information on accommodation or the Degustation Tasting evenings email events@closehouse.co.uk

Located just 10 minutes from Newcastle airport and the city centre, along with their resident chauffeur, this is an ideal destination for anywhere around the UK, for something a little bit different. www.closehouse.co.uk

The Bell at Skenfrith is happy to welcome its new head chef Rupert Taylor, 29. Having studied in Bath, Rupert’sfirst position was at Homewood Park as commis chef to Gary Jones (now executive head chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons) where he was part of the team that gained three AA rosettes and a Michelin star.

Rupert left to join Bath’s Royal Crescent hotel and then to Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck in Bray, where he workedfor 3½ years. He left the Fat Duck to work for Jamie Oliver at his Fifteen restaurant in Cornwall where he spent ayear before leaving to travel the world. Rupert linked his travels to working for the Mark warner company inbetween indulging his passion for snowboarding or surfing. Upon his return to the UK in 2009, Rupert joined TheBell at Skenfrith as Head Chef.

Since it opened ten years ago, The Bell’s ethos has always been to offer seasonal menus using local ingredients,much from its own organic kitchen garden. This is at one with Rupert’s style of cooking. Using local ingredientsis of paramount importance to him, as is the presentation of them which he stresses can be as important as theflavour; some of his plate settings are positively Picasso!

Since taking up his first head chef position, Rupert has brought in a fresh twist to The Bell’s menus, whilecontinuing its reputation for offering delicious, modern British cooking using fresh, locally-sourced and seasonalingredients. He works closely with Michele Civil, The Bell’s organic kitchen gardener, when creating his menus andlikes to be very involved with what is being grown in the kitchen garden.

Originally inspired to take up cooking by his grandmother, Rupert’s most influential mentor has been HestonBlumenthal. When not cooking at The Bell, Rupert likes to snowboard, surf and work out at the gym. William andJanet Hutchings are delighted to welcome Rupert to their team. His enthusiasm and wealth of experience will helppush The Bell to even greater heights on the culinary scene!

April 1-3 An exceptional offer on Luxury Accommodation and Gourmet Cuisine at the stylish new Andalusian BoutiqueHotel

Easter is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Andalusian countryside at the recently opened boutique Hotel Hermitage Casares.

Nestled into the hills close to the charming white village of Casares, and commanding magnificent birds eye views across wooded countryside to the Mediterranean, the Rock of Gibraltar and the exotic outline of Morocco’s Atlas mountains beyond, visitors to Hotel Hermitage Casares can enjoy a taste of rustic charm with all the style and service of a modern, boutique hotel establishment.

The Hermitage Casares has 15 stylish rooms and suites, all individually decorated to a high standard, there are sumptuous beds with luxurious monogrammed linens, and comfortable sofas and armchairs. Flat screen TV screens, quality furniture and bathrooms befitting 5-star hotels – with branded bathrobes, toiletries and slippers, the rooms at Hotel Hermitage Casares offer exceptional value. Special features include fireplaces, private gardens and delightful terraces.

Enjoy An Easter Treat

From 1st-3rd April, guests can take advantage of an exceptional offer at the Hotel Hermitage, Casares in the heart of vibrant Andalusia.

The offer includes:
- 3 night’s accommodation for two in a double room
- a delicious continental breakfast for two each morning
- a welcome drink for two
- 3 dinners for two at the hotel’s Celima restaurant
- a bottle of cava and bowl of fruit in the room

This excellent package comes at the price of just 337€ per room, inclusive of VAT.

Mediterranean Delights

The Celima restaurant at Hotel Hermitage is gaining ground as a gastronomic gem. Top executive chef Gonzalo Gutierrez, whose impressive career has seen him head up the kitchens of the Meliá Hotel group in the Caribbean, has created a superb menu of dishes based on the freshest Mediterranean ingredients, many from the hotel’s own kitchen garden. A bijou bodega with regular wine-tastings completes the scene. Room service is available 24 hours a day.

The Start of Something Good

With the November 2009 opening of Hotel Hermitage, Casares, a new boutique hotel concept is born as the first in a series of three hotels planned to embody the same idea of Luxury in Nature. The Hotel Hermitage, Casares offers a taste of luxury along with 21st century creature comforts in an unspoiled corner of blissful Andalusian countryside.

Visitors can revel in walks and hikes through the unspoiled Andalusian countryside, go horse riding, jump on a mountain bike or explore the quaint nearby town of Casares, one of the region’s fabled “white villages, and take in the drama of the Semana Santa, or Holy Week processions, one of Andalucia’s most passionate festivals.

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND AT THE COMPLEAT ANGLER, MARLOW
CANDLELIT DINNER, B&B FROM £449 FOR TWO

Whisk your loved one away for a Valentine’s weekend of romance at the stylish Macdonald Compleat Angler Hotel beside the Thames at Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The special Valentine’s package starts from £449 for two including two nights B&B and dinner at Bowaters riverside restaurant plus champagne, chocolates and strawberries in your room on arrival. With its stunning river views, candlelit dining rooms and four-poster bedrooms and suites, this incredibly romantic hotel is sure to set the mood for love.

On Friday, 12th February the two AA Rosette Bowaters Restaurant will be hosting a three-course dinner with live jazz entertainment, while on Saturday there is a special four-course Valentine’s menu created by head chef David Smith – and a red rose for every lady. There is also time to enjoy the pianist in the bar and take afternoon tea or lunch in Aubergine.

And on the day of romance itself, treat your partner to a traditional Sunday lunch or dinner in the riverside restaurant at £36.50pp.

Escape from the stress of the preparations and enjoy a Michelin two-star Christmas at Whatley Manor (01666 822 888, www.whatleymanor.com). The beautifully restored private manor house hotel with its warming log fires, is set amidst 12 acres of Wiltshire countryside and is bursting with festive spirit to give guests even more reasons to treat themselves with a stay at this luxurious country hideaway.

Sit back, relax and let Head Chef Martin Burge take on the festive preparations with an array of seasonal treats during a three day stay 23 – 26 December or bring in the New Year with a three night stay from 29 December to 1 January.

A three-night Christmas break from 23 – 26 December costs from £2,049 per room and includes a bottle of Champagne on arrival, half board accommodation, afternoon tea on Christmas Eve, five-course traditional Christmas lunch in The Dining Room on Christmas Day, afternoon cinema on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, live musical entertainment and full use of the spa facilities.

Ring in the New Year with a three-night New Year Celebration from 29 December – 1 January, costing from £1,998 per room, to include Champagne on arrival plus a whole range of festive dinners and treats, from live entertainment to films in the private cinema and use of the spa. For New Year’s Eve, enjoy a six-course Gala Dinner in The Dining Room and live jazz to welcome in 2010