Dine with flowers in your hair
Dine is one of Yorkshire’s leading hospitality businesses. Based at The Mansion overlooking Roundhey Park in Leeds I was so excited to be invited to one of their exclusive Ambassador Events.
To show off what they can do, Dine invited key influences for a night of Food and Florals. I’d never been to The Mansion before which surprised me as the venue was superb; beautifully decorated and immaculate – one to consider for any brides to be!
Flower headbands
As a self-confessed foodie I was so excited to be trying one of Dine’s creations but first the florals. We headed into a room which had the aromas of fresh cut flowers and rosemary. Taking my seat at the long table I was confronted by a thick piece of wire, scissors, and garden wire, behind me was a bucket bursting with colourful flowers… I was in my element! We were making flower crowns with help from Twisted Willow, a florist based in Ripon. Owner and Creative Director, Joanna showed us how to measure the correct size for your head – should have paid more attention as mine ended up being far too small – must try harder!
Once Joanna explained how to attach the flowers it was our turn to get creative. We each had our own bunch of flowers so there was no fighting over who gets the white roses. Throughout the event photographer Daniel Thubron from 123 Photography was snapping away, he caught some great moments, some of which I’ve used in this post. Time went so quickly and before we knew it we were on the stairs eagerly waiting to see who’d won best headdress… It was Claudia Wright, a well-deserved winner.
Beautiful Canapés by Dine
After a round of applause we were given a glass of Domaine J. Laurens Blanquette de Limoux sparkling wine and canapés started to arrive. We were offered:
- Venison Tartare on Chocolate Spätzle Discs
- Ham Hock & Smoked Wensleydale Croquette with Apple Gel, served in a smoking dome
- Caprini Goats Cheese Cones with Tomato & Dill Concase, Fig & Balsamic Caviar
I’m sure the chefs must have swapped their wooden spoons for tweezers – the detail was amazing. My favourite canapé was the goat’s cheese cones. The fig was daintily placed on the top; it almost looked like an ice cream. The smoke filled dome provided so much entertainment value. Everything was divine.
A three course meal fit for a king (or bride and groom!)
Next the double doors opened to another room. In there were four exquisitely dressed tables for us to enjoy the next part of the event. Dine really did treat us to the very best. Their staff were on hand to take us to our seat before whipping our napkin from the table and onto our lap – high end dining at its best!
The table, decorated by twisted willow mimicked our crowns with a beautiful table centrepiece… I’ve never seen anything like it. Flowers appeared to be growing out of the wreath as well as the on trend succulents and moss.
My next door neighbours for the evening were Jane Chamberlin from Cicada Communications and Claudia Wright. She was the winner of the flower crowns… I quickly took mine off my head in shame. Claudia was gorgeous – she really style!
After our server gently placed our napkins in our laps we were ready to receive the first course; a Crab & Saffron Risotto, Pan Fried Scallops & Tempura Soft Shell Crab. I love scallops, on a bed of creamy risotto. It was paired with a Hugel ‘Classic’ Pinot Blanc 2013, which perfectly complimented the seafood.
Next was a delicious Fallow Deer with Spiced Umbrian Lentils, Choucroute, Smoked Kale & Chocolate Jus. I was in luck as I love Venison. Dine really know how to deliver a wonderful event. Everything was thought of right down to placing our meals in front of us at exactly the same time – perfect!
The wine was a Domaine Terres Georges ‘Quintessence’ Minervois 2014 which had beautiful red forest fruit undertones.
Our dessert was a piece of art, placed in front of us was a Dark Chocolate & Rosemary Tart with Fennel Ice-Cream, Orange Sherbet & Baked White Chocolate. Wow, what a taste sensation. the Chocolate was very rich in flavour but this balanced out with the sharp orange sherbet, which took me back to my school days and added a bit of fun to the dish.
I’m not normally a dessert wine drinker but I have to say the Quady Elysium Black Muscat 2015 was my absolute favourite. It was sublime!
Now feeling extremely full I just had enough time to fit in a Lauden Chocolate and a peppermint tea.
It was a great event and I loved getting crafty with Twisted Willow. Thank you ever so much to Dine for putting on such a good show – any newly engaged couples out there seriously need to consider you for their special day!
Thank you also goody bag filled with goodies.
