Pimm’s, Champagne & Fine Dining

at

Henley Royal Regatta

I haven’t been to Henley for years, we used to live nearby in Reading when I was a teenager, and I remember we often used to visit for the day, and enjoy an ice cream down by the river. On visiting Henley recently, the town looked very smart, all dressed in its Sunday best for Henley Royal Regatta, of which I was a guest this year. The invite landed on my doorstep a month ago, and what an invitation is was – a large packet which contained a royal blue wallet embossed with the regatta’s crest in gold – inside were two entrance badges, a menu for a day of fine dining and the dress code. It was all very exciting and promised to be a day filled with good food and wine, as well as watching the traditional sport of rowing.

I, and my lucky plus one, Glamorous Glutton aka GG, were the guests of Sodexo Prestige Venues and Events. Our day had been planned for us, and all we had to do was to get to Reading station, where an air-conditioned courtesy bus was waiting to collect us, to take us to the regatta. Here’s how our day was planned:

10:30 – Arrive Fawley Meadows

11:00 – Champagne and Pimm’s Reception with Canapés 

11:30 – River boat trip with champagne and Pimm’s

12:30 – Lunch is served accompanied by Cellar Master’s selected wines

14:00 – Continue to watch the boat races

16:00 – Afternoon Tea is served

18:00 – Bus back to station

The package that GG and I enjoyed was part of Sodexo’s (as the official hospitality provider) hospitality for Henley Royal Regatta; the marquees were set up on the picturesque banks of Fawley Meadows as well as the stunning private oasis of Temple Island. The brochure boasts ……“There you will enjoy an enticing array of hospitality features including a river boat cruise, a private outdoor area, live entertainment and of course award-winning food and wine throughout the day ensuring a memorable occasion for you and your guests.”…… It certainly lived up to its promise, with wine, cocktails and champagne flowing all day along with delectable food in a private “Marquee Seating and Dining Club” right by the river.

The full hospitality package comprises: 

Car parking (1 per 2 guests)
Entrance to Fawley Meadows official Hospitality Village
Live entertainment
Official Souvenir Henley Royal Regatta Racing Programme
River boat cruise – priority boarding throughout the day
Alfresco lounge area
Stewards’ Enclosure upgrade
Dining and Drinks

Coffee and biscuits on arrival
Champagne and Pimm’s reception with canapés
Five-course lunch featuring local produce and complemented by Cellar Master’s selected wines
Full sweet and savoury afternoon tea
Complimentary bar including wines, champagne, beers, cider and selected spirits
Private tables for between 6 and 12 guests

(Prices from £348 per person including VAT)

Our menu for the day was created by Malcolm Emery, the Sodexo Prestige, Principal Chef, where the  use of using local (and British) ingredients with provenance was key. Our menu for the day comprised:

Fawley Meadow Restaurant – 1st July 2015:

Champagne and Canapés

Lunch:

Amuse – Chilled Buttermilk and Pea Veloute, with Truffle & Summer Blossoms

Starter – Treacle Cured Severn & Wye Salmon, with Beetroot, Scorched Cucumber and Horseradish

Main: Chicken, Pancetta and Lemon Thyme Roulade, with Jersey Royals, Wye Valley Asparagus and Morels

Dessert: Raspberry & White Chocolate Cannelloni, with Strawberry & Elderflower Sorbet and Raspberry Tuille

Cheese – A selection of fine British Cheeses with Chutney and Water Biscuits

Afternoon Tea:

A selection of Sandwiches

Golden Raisin Scones filled with Strawberry Preserves and Devon Cream

A Selection of Tea Time Patisserie and Cakes

Highlights of the meal, with both GG and myself was the Chilled Buttermilk and Pea Veloute, with Truffle & Summer Blossoms, and the Treacle Cured Severn & Wye Salmon, with Beetroot, Scorched Cucumber and Horseradish. The veloute was rich and creamy with an earthy taste of truffles, and as a chilled soup, it was perfect for what turned out to be a blistering hot day, with temperatures reaching 38C. And, the salmon starter was pure culinary magic – the salmon was tender with a subtle treacle flavour and the vegetable accompaniments added a fresh flavour to the richness of the salmon. Unfortunately, by the time afternoon tea was served, we were both still full from lunch, and so we both just picked at it.

The day was well planned and was hugely enjoyable – the private dining areas were a wonderful idea, as were the activities, food and wine. And, we mustn’t forget the main reason we were all there, the rowing and boat races – we had ample time to sit by the edge of the river and watch a few –  it was thrilling to see the supporters get behind their respective teams, as well as watching the races themselves. For those of you who are interested the results of the 2015 regatta are here: Henley Royal Regatta 2015.

With thanks to Sodexo Prestige Venues and Events, as well as the team at Sorted PR, who kindly invited me and my guest, it was a fabulous day out at one the world’s most prestigious sporting events, but without the effort of all that rowing and with plenty of refreshments! Karen

Images: My iPhone 6 and Sodexo Prestige Venues and Events 

HISTORY OF HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA

(From the Henley Royal Regatta website)

Henley Regatta was first held in 1839 and has been held annually ever since, except during the two World Wars. Originally staged by the Mayor and people of Henley as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became its main purpose.

The 1839 Regatta took place on a single afternoon but proved so popular with oarsmen that the racing lasted for two days from 1840. In 1886 the Regatta was extended to three days and to four in 1906. Since 1928 its increased popularity meant entries exceeded the permitted numbers in several events, and so Qualifying Races are now held in the week before the Regatta to reduce the number of entries to the permitted maximum. In 1986 the Regatta was extended to five days, with an increase in the maximum entry for certain events……..read more