Food and Drink Discovery

Chilford Hall (Cambridge, Cambridge)

Lucy from Finance

What did you get up to?
We visited Chilford Hall on a lovely day and had a great time wandering around the vineyard and being told interesting information about the wine making process from our guide. The actual vineyard was around a 15 minute walk away and it was great to get some fresh air. We got to sample a great variety of wine and it made me realise that you don't need to source wine from France, Spain or overseas as we have plenty of delicious, locally produced wine here in England! We also decided to enjoy a delicious afternoon tea on-site after the tour! A lovely summer day out overall.

What did you enjoy the most?
Although the wine tasting was a highlight, we actually really enjoyed strolling around the vineyard in the sun, learning about the wine making process.

Carr Taylor Wines Ltd, Hastings, East Sussex

Millie from Customer Service

What did you get up to?
When we first visited the Vineyard we were greeted by lovely staff, and shown to the cafe where we purchased a lovely glass of wine and a tea. We had arrived 15 minutes early so we had time to take advantage of the outside seating area- in front of the beautiful vineyard! When the tour started we were told about the origin of the vineyard, and how the owner started their business. We were then shown around a different area outside and provided with a large amount of information regarding the different types of ways the grapes are grown and how they make their spectacular wines. We were shown around the bottle shed and given examples of how the different types of wine are bottled and fermented. We were then taken up stairs to the cosy tasting area where we tried over 10 different types of still and sparkling wines. After this we were provided with the option to buy some of the wine and take advantage of the scenic seating area around the vineyard.
What did you enjoy the most?
I definitely enjoyed the tasting part of the vineyard tour, as we were able to try lots of different wines that we normally wouldn't of; including dessert wine that we were told is beautiful with or over different types of desserts. I would have to say that the sparking rose was my favourite wine that was provided, and I even brought myself two glasses of this after our tour which was very reasonably priced.

Caffe Concerto, London

Matt from Accounts

What did your experience entail?
I took my Mum to Cafe Concerto in Green Park, London for a Deluxe Afternoon Tea. Luckily, after the grey skies and rain of the previous few weeks, we were treated to a sunny blue-sky day as we headed into the city.
On arrival, we were greeted by the friendly staff and shown to our table. The bifold windows at the front of the restaurant were fully open and this gave a very cosmopolitan feel to the setting. My mum also commented on the grand chandeliers, which created an elegant ambiance as waited for our tea to be served.

Our Afternoon Tea was served, with 3 tiers of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and a tantalizing selection of sweet treats to top it all off. The sandwich fillings included cucumber and cream cheese & smoked salmon with capers and lemon. Our favourite sandwich though was the chicken with sundried tomato. We then moved onto the scones, which were still warm and beautifully fluffy. Mum went Jam then cream, but for me it has to be cream then jam!
Leaving the best till last, we had one final treat of velvety chocolate pastries, macaroons and delicate fruit tarts which were all bursting with fantastic flavours!

After our tea, we walked across Green Park to Buckingham Place to see if the King was home! It was great to see all the union flags still lining the Mall, which topped off our very Royal day out in the capital!

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The food was amazing, the staff were very attentive, and the Great British weather even played its part in giving us a day to remember.
What did you enjoy the most?
The food and company!