[dropcap type =”circle”]T[/dropcap]here is a chill in the air, leaves are falling from the trees and nights are drawing in and so our tastes adapt to the new season when we look for hearty, warming and comforting dishes.
This season should be celebrated for the range orchard fruits, late vegetable harvests and game, offering the chance to indulge in some delicious and flavoursome foods.
Pumpkin, squash, mushrooms and root vegetables are in their prime, perfect for roasting or adding to accompanying dishes. Full-flavoured fruits such as plums, blackberries, figs, apples and pears abound in Autumn, and our Head Chef Billy Bush takes full advantage of this bountiful harvest to create a feast of autumnal dishes in Blenheim Palace’s Orangery Restaurant, which overlooks the private Italian Garden.
Seasonality is key to the menu and we are also proud to be sourcing from local producers offering a true taste of Oxfordshire.
The combination of seasonal flavours and local sourcing is evident in our Local Game Pressing, a tasty terrine including venison & goose sourced from Peachcroft Farm in Abingdon accompanied with Oxfordshire pear purée, celeriac and elderberry.
The Autumn gnocchi with roast butternut squash, celebrates the season perfectly; Similarly the Sea bream has a new autumn flavour with Savoy cabbage, smoked bacon and mushrooms such as Ceps and girolles which are in perfect condition at this time of year
To finish your meal the perfect comforting dish of Apple crumble tart with malted milk ice cream all feature on the autumn menu. We also add an autumnal twist in our celebrated Afternoon Tea where our delicate pastries will seasonal toppings and fillings with Mulled berries, blackberries and kumkats, which are all great this time of year
Head Chef Billy Bush said: “This time of year I enjoy creating wholesome, hearty, warming dishes making the most of the delicious root vegetables, mushrooms, and game now in season by braising, roasting and slow cooking to create a fantastic rich flavour. The apples and red fruits are all perfectly in season to bake with our puddings and pastries which are a real treat at this time of year.
“Also in November we are working with an award winning English winery Greyfrairs. The family owned winery are based in the Surrey South Downs have planted over 40 acres of new vines, and create a small range of spectacular English sparkling wines reflecting the unique local soil conditions, climate and heritage of the area . The Greyfrairs cuvees are the perfect pairing to The Orangery restaurant new seasonal menu.”
Visitors can combine dining in The Orangery Restaurant with a visit to the new Michelangelo Pistoletto Art Exhibition installed in the Palace State Rooms and Formal Gardens.
Autumn Dining at Blenheim Palace is available until the end of November.
To book and for more information visit www.blenheimpalace.com