Gospel Brunch
Altitude London’s Millbank Tower venue, Altitude 360, has united with the London Community Gospel Choir to launch Gospel Brunch, a New York-inspired singing and brunch event taking place every Sunday. Peter Kerwood, managing director of Altitude London, told BigHospitality: “Altitude brings a slice of New York tradition to London with hearty soul food combined with traditional gospel classics sung by the world renowned London Community Gospel Choir.” The Gospel Brunch will take place between 11am and 3pm, priced at £49 per person, with guests having the chance to join in with the choir. Starters of cornbread and seasonal muffins will be followed by a range of hearty dishes including French toast, fried chicken and napa slaw. Desert incudes chocolate truffle cake and banana tatin. “I’m hoping this will put Altitude London on the map with regards its extraordinary experiences,” added Kerwood.
Wednesday Wine
Playboy Club London is set to launch Wednesday Wine, its first non-members monthly event beginning 7 December. The evenings, priced at £50 per head, aims to give guests experiences with wines for every occasion and taste and will be hosted by Playboy Club’s sommelier James Llloyd. The wines will also accompany food dishes. The three initial themes, set to run through to February, are Sparkling Wine and Nibbles, which looks at the diversity of sparkling wine and Champagne from around the world; Bio-dynamic and Organic Wines and Dinner, giving guests the chance to fully understand the process of creating wines; and Desert Tasting and Pudding, which provides the opportunity to try out food and wine pairings with sweet wines. Each wine theme will be accompanied by appropriate food created by executive chef Judy Joo.
Self-catering suites
Newcastle’s Sandman Signature Hotel is giving business guests the chance to stay healthy when facing long stays away from home with self-catering suites. The suites feature fully-fitted kitchens and the 175-bedroom hotel, at Gallowgate, has joined forces with Waitrose which will deliver a stock of groceries. Sandman Signature Hotel Newcastle’s General Manager Kevin Gilhooly said: “it’s very easy for business travellers who spend a lot of time in hotels to just opt for a meal that’s not always the best for them, simply because they don’t have the time or the facilities to get something healthy. “By providing them with all the facilities and ingredients they need to make a meal of their own we feel we are helping make their stay with us not only more relaxing, but healthier.” The hotel’s initiative comes after a report compiled by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine has revealed the link between frequent travel and obesity and health problems.
Cookery School
The Beach Bistro restaurant at the Gallivant Hotel in Rye, East Sussex, has launched its own cookery school, giving guests the opportunity to take part in master classes, taste the freshly prepared food and meet the suppliers. The classes are led by new head chef Trevor Hambley, who previously honed in the kitchens of Marco Pierre White and Jean Christophe Novelli. Thought up by Gallivant owners Harry Cragoe and Tudor Hopkins, the courses begin on 1 December and include Boat to Plate Fish Cooking, Shoot to Plate Game Cooking, Field to Plate Meat Cooking and Festive Cooking. Each course includes breakfast, a chance to quiz Hambley, a trip to meet the local food suppliers and the master class. They are priced at £95 for the day or £169 including an overnight stay for two at the Gallivant. For more information visit www.thebeachbistro.com.