CHRISTMAS IS NEAR
W L
CHRISTMAS IS NEAR
BY PAUL ASKEW , CHEF PATRON OF THE ART SCHOOL RESTAURANT
Welcome dear readers as we enter November . Christmas is very close all of a sudden , would you not say ? Morning frost jewelled across the grass , we can see our breath again and there ’ s a hasty rummage for the trusty hat and scarf no doubt too . As we embrace this seasonal change , with it dawns the festive season in all its glory and I really hope to see you all over the coming weeks at The Art School .
Bookings have been strong so far so I implore you to confirm your plans with us as soon as you can if you ’ re thinking to join us this Christmas or for The New Year . We have menus to suit all and a variety of spaces to dine in , from the pure pleasures of eating alone , to couples toasting together through to big groups for all kinds of festive celebrations with family , colleagues and friends .
Also don ’ t forget my Christmas emporium is back and packed with fine goodies and treats including our divine and delicious hampers and vouchers for loved ones . And of course , we have private hire options in The Moriarty Room and our intimate wine tasting hideaway and our beautiful space in The Art School Cellars offers divine Afternoon Tea .
Christmas is always a wonderful time of year – our kitchens and restaurant are a hive of activity and we relish working with the wonderful abundance of new produce available . Already some of these ingredients are being used in our kitchen and inspiring new dishes and for me it really signifies the period toward Christmas has officially begun .
There ’ s plenty more to come from us and I ’ d like to highlight a special event for you here . We ’ ve proudly worked with Charles Heidsieck for many years and they are the house champagne we serve by the truck load , to be perfectly honest , at The Art School – everyone loves a glass or two of Charles . And in honour of our ongoing relationship
with them , we ’ ve got a special evening on Thursday 23rd November with Simon Stockton who is quite literally a champagne nerd and what he doesn ’ t know about glorious bubbles in a fluted glass is not worth knowing . He ’ s judged The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships and was the UK ’ s Champagne Ambassador 2015-2017 . ‘ Christmas Bubbles ’ – A special dinner with Charles Heidsieck , will feature 5 courses and 5 champagnes and is really not to be missed .
And to start 2024 in the finest of styles , don ’ t forget we have our first wave of 10th anniversary events coming up include January 11th which features ‘ A farewell to Le Gavroche ’ with Steven Doherty MCA , followed by January 18th and a special evening with James Golding of ‘ The Pig ’ & Royal Academy of Culinary Arts .
Then on January 25th Gary Jones is warmly welcomed , recently of Le Manoir aux Quat ' Saisons and he ’ s a leading Michelin-starred chef from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts . Then finally on February 1st , my good old friend Simon Rimmer of Greens and Sunday Brunch is special guest at The Art School . Tickets for all of these events are already flying out rather swiftly .
We will of course have more events to reveal as we progress toward our tenth birthday in September 2024 . Speaking of which , we already have one eye on next year . Time doesn ’ t half fly and it ’ s going to be a glorious lead up to officially reaching ten . Plus more seasons to celebrate , more menus to reveal and more wine – and lots of Charles Heidsieck - to be served . So for now it is a fond farewell .
Have a lovely November – wrap up warm and stay safe .
With much love , Chef Patron Paul Askew x
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