An Orkney Supper
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Inspired by the Orkney Islands, renowned Scottish chef Jeremy Lee created a bespoke menu for eighteen of The New Craftsmen’s closest friends and family.
\nThe room was adorned with oat straw sheaths and lanterns which hung from the ceiling over the linen-draped table. At their place setting, each guest received a cut from the first crop of Orkney’s straw harvest.
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The dinner was hosted at The New Craftsmen store in Mayfair
The supper, which was held at the Mayfair store, consisted of three delicious courses, all specially and thoughtfully created by Lee for the occasion. Potted Herring was served as a starter with an Arbroath Smokie Tart, accompanied by bread served on stones gathered from the Orkney Islands. The main course consisted of a ‘Mutton and Muckle Spoot’ with cockles and clams, and a delicious potato salad. Mustard was freshly grinded in-front of guests on handcrafted pestle and mortars. To finish, an almond and rhubarb tart was served with fresh cream.
\nThe festivities continued late into the evening, when an Orcadian-grown Bere Barley whisky by Bruichladdich was served, while guests listened to a curated playlist of local artists and musicians.
\nAttendees included; The New Craftsmen makers, and collaborators of The Brodgar Collection, Kevin Gauld and Gareth Neal; set-designer Simon Costin whom produced the Portrait of Place: Orkney exhibition; fashion photographer Tim Walker; costume designer Sandy Powell and Fashion and Interiors Writer for The Times and Telegraph Carolyn Asome.
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Jeremy put together an Orkney-inspired menu especially for the occasion
The New Craftsmen held live demonstrations with the makers that featured as part of this exhibition.Details are as follows:
\nOrkney furniture maker Kevin Gauld demonstrated traditional straw-work using oat straw grown from his farm. This ancient technique was showcased on a new side table, developed in collaboration with designer Gareth Neal for the Brodgar Series, an exclusive and modern interpretation of the Orkney chair.
\nBasket makers, Mary Butcher and Annemarie O’Sullivan demonstrated Orcadian ‘simmans’ making – a process traditionally used to make baskets, hay-stack coverings and roof ties. Join us to see if they can make simmans the length of our North Row home.
\nThe makers included in ‘Portrait of Place: Orkney’ are: Gareth Neal (furniture maker), Kevin Gauld (straw chair maker), Mary Butcher (basket maker), Annemarie O’Sullivan (basket maker), Frances Pelly (sculptor), Louise Martin (tapestry weaver), and Charles Shearer (print maker).
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