CHRISTMAS IS UPON US
W L
CHRISTMAS IS UPON US
BY PAUL ASKEW , CHEF PATRON OF THE ART SCHOOL RESTAURANT
Greetings to you all , dearest readers , as we advance toward the end of 2024 . And dare we whisper it – Christmas is very much around the corner and getting closer with each passing day . I hope you are gearing up for the magical season which will once more transform Liverpool City Region ’ s hospitality scene , and we look forward to welcoming esteemed guests from across The Wirral .
It ’ s my favourite time of the year and for a few weeks now our festive brochure has been available . We ’ ve had a lot of bookings so far for the most wonderful time of the year , so if you ’ re intending to join us in Sugnall Street then I implore to act fast . We ’ ve got plenty of choice for you , from our full festive Taster Menu to prix fixe , Excellence , Christmas Eve and finally New Year ’ s Eve with an early prix fixe service followed by a Celebration Menu to see out the year in the finest of styles . The Moriarty Room and The Art School ’ s Tasting Room are available to book privately and in The Art School Cellars , Afternoon Christmas Tea with sumptuous sandwiches , cakes , desserts , tea and coffee and fizz awaits .
We proudly serve fantastic vintages from around the world , including from our partners Charles Heidsieck . All vineyards we work with compliment our work in the kitchen to the highest degree , from special occasion bottles and paired wines to a range of more accessible vintages . As much as our world is about food , our customers love these truly wonderful wines of all palettes and hues and I ’ m proud to introduce three special evenings this winter which will feature magnificent wines paired to our unique menus .
I believe Vega Sicilia are truly one of the most iconic wineries in the world . It ’ s their enduring commitment to crafting wines of exceptional prestige which creates their fantastic range of vintages . Founded in 1864 in Spain ' s Ribera del Duero region , Vega Sicilia have refined their tradition and quality for more than a century and a half and we can ’ t wait to share the evening with them on Tuesday 19th November in The Moriarty Room . Guests will experience : a welcome glass of Oremus Mandolás Dry Furmint Macán , Rothschild / Vega Sicilia , Rioja Spain 2017 magnum ; Alión , Tempos Vega Sicilia , Ribera del Duero , Spain 2018 double magnum ; Valbuena 5 º, Vega Sicilia , Ribera del Duero , Spain 2016 double magnum ; Unico , Vega Sicilia , Ribera del Duero , Spain 2013 ; Oremus , Tokaji Aszú 3 Puttonyos , Tokaji , Hungary 2018 .
Then we welcome Castorani in The Art School Cellars on Thursday 28th November , another of the world ’ s great vineyards . Castorani ’ s wines have an average age of over 30 years and are entirely cultivated using organic farming methods , eschewing pesticides and chemical fertilizers . They employ biological control methods for vineyard protection and nourish the vines with natural fertilizers . They predominantly cultivate vines are of the ' Montepulciano ' variety , while white grapes include ' Trebbiano ,' ' Malvasia ,' ' Cococciola ,' ' Pecorino ,' and ' Passerina ,' with a small area dedicated to experimental varieties . Guests will experience : A glass of Podere Castorani , Amorino , Pecorino d ’ Abruzzo 2021 ; Podere Castorani , Trebbiano d ’ Abruzzo Riserva , Italy 2018 ; Podere Castorani , Jarno Bianco , d ’ Abruzzo , Italy 2016 ; Podere Castorani , Cadetto Montepulciano d ’ Abruzzo , Italy 2020 ; Podere Castorani , ’ 10 ’ Dieci Inverni , d ’ Abruzzo , Italy 2006 .
Then on Thursday December 5th , we have a Winemakers Dinner with Charles Heidsieck . This is a very rare chance to be part of a bespoke evening dedicated to our enduring champagne partners and to indulge in their exquisite vintages . On this evening guests will experience : ‘ The Art School ’ Special Edition 10th Anniversary Charles Heidsieck NV Brut Reserve champagne from the magnum ; Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blancs NV ; Charles Heidsieck Brut Millésimé 2012 from the magnum ; Charles Heidsieck Rosé Millésimé 2012 ; Charles Heidsieck ‘ Collection Crayeres ’ Brut Millésimé 1989 from the jeroboam .
If this wasn ’ t enough , next year is already looking rosy . At The Art School we believe in starting as we mean to go , so following on from our ongoing 10th anniversary celebrations we have lots to look forward to in 2025 . And what better way to welcome in the New Year than two of my dearest gastronomic friends to cook with me and share their experiences with you in January .
Thursday 23rd January welcomes back my dear friend Steven Doherty MCA who is the former head chef of Le Gavroche and a pioneer in the UK ' s gastropub revolution . Then on Thursday 30th January , another great friend joins us as Simon Rimmer of Sunday Brunch returns to The Art School . Tickets for these events are already flying out and they are wonderful opportunities to hear from two gastronomic legends and to sample their incredible cooking . So if you ’ d like to join me with these legendary figures , please do not delay . As always , we could not do what we do without your continued support .
With much love as always , Chef Patron Paul Askew x
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