What a fabulous day at Cannizaro House hotel on Wimbledon Common today!
To mark the launch of their brand new Christmas menu, manager Jeff Ward invited me (a self confessed Masterchef fan) to spend the morning in the hotel kitchens with their team of chefs to discover exactly how the food is lovingly prepared.
The idea was to witness first hand the standard of cooking in this, Wimbledon's highest ranking hotel. Cannizaro House continues to invest significant sums of money into their restaurant and kitchen facilities and the results are clear to see. The quality and standard of food served is second to none and the ambience of the (soon to be extended) restaurant and lounge bar are perfect for this time of year.
Overall, it was a brilliant experience. Head chef Christian George and his highly talented team Nick, Jamie and Simon all took great care to explain how they order only the freshest produce and make just about everything themselves on site.
Next thing I know, I'm being instructed on preparing the ham hock, parsley and mustard fruit terrine along with the caramelised banana souffle. As all good cooks do, I had to taste. Delicious.
Then a quick change and I was back out front as a diner to welcome our special lunch guests Eamonn Holmes, Charlotte Hawkins and Jacquie Beltrao from the Sky News Sunrise team who we had invited along to sample the menu. Expert photographer James Norcott from James Russell Photography was on hand to capture the moment.
We were joined at lunch by manager Jeff Ward and Cannizaro House sales director, the lovely Isabel Hargreaves.
The Christmas menu at Cannizaro House is fantastic, and there's an offer on in December when you can order two courses for just £24.50 per person.
Thanks to all the team at Cannizaro House for hosting such a successful lunch and letting me inside the kitchens to get involved in the first place. Now get up there and try it out for yourself!
Pictures:
Above right: david Fernando from The Best of Wimbledon at work in the kitchens at Cannizaro House
Below: With Head Chef (and top bloke) Christian George.
