Chantal Borciani reviews the top gourmet dining options, from Michelin-chef-style catering to menus curated by the chef delivered directly to your doorstep.
Relaxing and enjoying the scenery, and nowadays, more than ever, the realm of private dining and top-quality food delivery right to the doorstep of your luxury rental allows staycation guests to make the most of their vacation by taking the stress out of meal times. You can choose an expert chef to come to cook for you or an afternoon tea service; some of Britain’s most renowned producers are there to help so that you don’t spend as many hours in the kitchen and spend more time enjoying your vacation…
ONE FINE DINE
One Fine Dine chef
One Fine Dine gourmet dishes
From the most exquisite gourmet boxes you heat and serve from home to fully chef-catered private dining, One Fine Dine is the benchmark for exclusive dining. One Fine Dine offers super seasonal Gourmet menu boxes that are delivered directly to your doorstep. Now, its highly trained chefs can take all the hassle off your shoulders and cook the entire dinner. The company just announced a partnership agreement with five-star UK property rental firm Bloomsbury Estates, so guests at the luxurious lodgings can take advantage of bespoke dining options with carefully curated menus, catered dinner parties, luncheons, or simply a delicious family dinner – all created according to Michelin quality restaurant standards. Prices start at PS65 per head.
JACK & SCOTT’S PRIVATE DINING SERVICE
The most popular village in the UK is now adding a new band to the bow: Bray Cottages has teamed up with Jack Blumenthal (son of Heston) and Scott Perkins to offer delicious private dining experiences. It is located in the center of Bray-on-Thames. Guests staying at the six deluxe traditional British cottages can avail of the assistance of Jack as well as Scott to create unforgettable meals at home, including personalized menus, private chef eating, and virtual cooking classes. Jack Blumenthal and Scott Perkins are both Michelin-trained chefs. The pair have worked at some of the best UK restaurants, including The Fat Duck, The Hand & Flowers, L’Ortolan, and Petrus. You can end your staycation in Bray by visiting one of the town’s most famous restaurants, such as The Fat Duck, as well as the Alain Roux’s The Waterside Inn, which each boasts the distinction of having three Michelin stars. If you’re not planning a trip to the charming Bray village, Bray Jac,k & Scott’s private dining experiences are accessible across the country.
NORTHCOTE AT HOME
Lisa Goodwin-Allen, who is executive chef of Northcote Hotel and Michelin-starred restaurant in Lancashire’s beautiful Ribble Valley, has introduced Northcote at Home Gourmet boxes that bring high-end dining to your kitchen. With a seasonal theme and four courses, The Gourmet boxes are available all over the world and provide a great culinary journey through British food items. For the ultimate getaway treat, You can also request the chefs of Northcote’s Michelin star-trained kitchen cater your exclusive dinner celebration, afternoon tea, or lunch at your holiday home or cottage, including servers and wine sommeliers in the event that you’d like. Prices start at PS125 for two people.
AFTERNOON TEA TO GO
Elite Hotels is offering a lavish Takeaway Afternoon Tea at two of its southern England properties, Luton Hoo Hotel, Golf & Spa in Bedfordshire, and Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club. It is the perfect treat for a holiday or an enjoyable celebration for a birthday or anniversary. The elegant afternoon tea boxes feature freshly prepared cakes, delicious sandwiches topped with strawberries and clotted cream, and gorgeous patisserie that is handmade like matcha cake as well as hazelnut cream eclairs, with fine teas. Prices start at PS25 for two people.
STEIN’S AT HOME & BEACH RETREATS
Stein at Home Sticky Toffee Pudding
Over the past few years, Rick Stein has always been successful in offering the opportunity to taste his menus from the coast with its Stein’s Home Boxes – available nationwide. The company Stein’s At Home has partnered with Luxury Cottages, the staycation specialist with 80 beautiful destinations across the UK, and is allowing guests to order a Stein’s At Home delivery box at a reduced price. The Luxury Cottage’s Customer Services team is ready to schedule delivery boo,k the order, and pick up the box, so you show up and relax! Enjoy a delicious breakfast on the weekend with a box of fresh fish box, Stein’s At Home lobster, or the ultimate foodie-themed weekend box. Starting at PS35 to two.
BIRTELLI’S
Independent pizzeria Birtelli’s is collaborating with the holiday rental company Crabtree & Crabtree to provide its pizza-making kits. It’s a great alternative to pizza night during your holiday. The kits contain ingredients procured from Michelin star Executive Chef Paul Foster and provide the perfect dinner for a night in with little hassle. The partnership is a part of Crabtree &Crabtree’s newly introduced Doorstep Delivery service, which allows guests staying at their beautiful homes discounts on the best home-cooked food options, such as Birtelli’s handmade pizza and pasta Evangelists pasta kits and Aubrey’s hand-crafted butchery. Crabtree & Crabtree also have chefs on staff who can prepare private dining in any of their stunning locations from PS16.99.
COOK AWAY
Cook away Miso Tofu Steaks.
Enjoy a feast worthy of royalty on menus created by MasterChef finalists and long-standing chefs, with flavor-packed boxed recipes by The Cookaway. The Cookaway team has teamed up with the luxury villa firm Oliver’s Travels, enabling guests to purchase a recipe kit to take home for UK and Irish holidays. Select from the recipe boxes designed by former MasterChef finalist Sara Danesin, Kyoto-born chef and cookbook writer Reiko Hashimoto, The Cookaway founder Nidhi Verma, and Former MasterChef Finalist Jack Lucas, to name but several. The prices start at PS16 for two people.
HARBOUR AT HOME
Fresh seafood from Harbour at Home
Surrounded by the stunning sands and sandy beaches that are Elie Beach in the picturesque East Neuk of Fife in Scotland, Harbour at Home offers fresh lobster, langoustine, crab, and other seafood to guests from across all of the British Isles. The chef’s patron, Amy Elles, has created an assortment of luxurious Scottish food and fishing hampers that include the products of small boats landing at Pittenweem Harbor organic heritage breed beef of the Butchery at Bowhouse and salads from the East Neuk Market Garden. The hampers include personal touches like Elie stones from the beach to break open your lobster and bibs Harbour Cafe placemats and gorgeous illustrations by artisan designer Edinburgh Letters. Boxes available from PS25.
BISTROT AT HOME
Bistrot at Home – Beef Box
Bistrot at Home – Vegetarian Box
The 25-year-old, independent French restaurant chain Bistrot Pierre is adding three boxes to its collection of luxury at-home dining boxes. Perfect for people who are outside of town, these boxes are the Celebration Steak and Breakfast boxes from PS35.
44 FOODS
It was established at the time of the pandemic, and with the ability to deliver across the country, 44 Foods offers all the freshness and quality of a farmer’s market delivered right to your doorstep. From farm to table, 44 Foods is a group of farmers and food producers who are devoted to fair-priced, ethically grown, and sustainable food items. Together, they supply fruits and vegetables, as well as dairy and meat, as well as the essentials for your kitchen or cottage for your holiday – they are also the business responsible for The Ultimate Staycation Breakfast featured on our Travel News page 13. Two meals for two from PS20.50.
DINE IN THE LAKES
Garden Gathering from Dine in the Lakes
If you’re planning to visit the breathtaking mountains, valleys, and waterways in the Lake District, it’s imperative to try the incredible dining options. Dining at Lakes. Lakes is a brand-new gourmet food delivery service that delivers premium food boxes made from the top-of-the-line Lake District producers, delivered directly to your doorstep. The gourmet retailer has joined forces with the luxury holiday home provider Lakeland Retreats, meaning guests can get breakfast, brunch, or a picnic in the garden waiting for their arrival. Prices start at PS35.