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A SOLEMN MOMENT AND SPECTACULAR CELEBRATION OF LIFE …
BY PAUL ASKEW , CHEF PATRON OF THE ART SCHOOL RESTAURANT
Like many in the country , across the Commonwealth and the globe , I was deeply moved at the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II . Her passing represents the loss of a constant in some of our darkest times as a country and the only monarch most of us have ever known . I know many readers , and I include myself in this , have lost mothers and grandmothers and so felt this loss on a far more personal level .
In my professional career I had the pleasure of cooking for Her Majesty and the late Prince Philip , a memory I have always cherished and do more so now since her passing .
I watched with great pride the dignity and pageantry displayed in the period of mourning and her state funeral . A real spectacle that I believe could simply not be replicated elsewhere .
Of course , in time , life returns to a new normal , a phrase we have heard many times in recent years and now my thoughts return to our busiest quarter of the year . The run up to the festive season is one of the most enjoyable and , equally , challenging times of the culinary calendar . Our festive menus for The Art School and Barnacle in Duke Street Market have been carefully crafted and released and our reservations are now open with demand for Christmas Eve and New Year Eve already surpassing the bookings at the same time last year .
I know there is much uncertainty and therefore my team and I will be extra focused on ensuring that , for the hours you dine with us , you can enjoy the very best in hospitality and escape from the day to day . So , please do make your reservations as soon as possible to ensure we can accommodate you on your preferred date .
During the period we will also host numerous private and corporate celebrations . Over the last 3 years we have made significant investments and more than trebled our footprint to offer private dining , a private tasting room and , of course , our own subterranean retreat , our Cellars bar . It ’ s in the Cellars where we are hosting special live acoustic nights each Thursday between now and the end of November .
There will be more special events announced soon , like our very special evening with Charles Heidsieck to celebrate the release of a limited vintage “ Champagne Charlie ” an evening that was enjoyed by many of our regulars .
Outside of the restaurant I will host a very special dinner in aid of Hospitality Action . Bringing together four award-winning chefs ; Ellis Barrie of Lerpwl , Liverpool ; Aiden Byrne of The Church Green , Lymm ; Paul Leonard of The Forest Side , Grasmere ( 1 Michelin star ) and Tom Parker of The White Swan , Fence ( 1 Michelin star ), as they prepare a very special four course meal .
This much anticipated fundraising dinner will take place at Liverpool ’ s wonderful Hilton Hotel , the perfect location to bring these outstandingly talented chefs together as they create delicious dishes to support countless hospitality families in crisis .
All guests will be treated to a canapé and drinks reception and a fourcourse meal with wine throughout , whilst having the opportunity to pose our chefs their questions during the live Q & A . Hospitality Action is a charity very close to my heart and I ’ m delighted to be able to support them again .
So , for now , my kitchen awaits and , as always , I look forward to welcoming you and your family to the Art School soon .
Chef Askew
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