A Secret Birthday Supper

This weekend was that of my 25th Birthday and of course this meant an opportunity for a celebration, and what could be a better than eating wonderful food with fabulous company.

As such I was fortunate that my Dad organised a wonderful surprise evening courtesy of The Secret Supper Society in Somerton, North Oxfordshire. During our hour journey in the car we passed through many destinations which all could equally have provided a place for a wonderful evening meal. After we all called out "are we nearly there yet...." and were told yes we were driving down country path and turned off into a drive way. I was told that this was our destination and stepped nervously from the car thinking "do we know these people that we are having dinner with...". However, all my reservations disappeared when I walked though the door and was greeted by the smiling faces of our chef for the evening Jules, and her husband Nick. 

They took our coats and showed the four of us to our private dinning room in the the cosy front room of their home. Our evening was then fully explained to me. We were being cooked a sumptuous five course dinner by Jules in her perfectly normal family kitchen.

I am someone who adores everything about food, reading recipe books, taking cuttings from magazines and the anticipation that comes with cooking something new. Its great finding the best local places to buy produce as well as growing things and foraging for free goodies! As such this evening was a complete treat for me, and having the chance to talk to our chef after the meal and share in her passion for food was just fantastic.

Our menu for the evening was as follows:

Amuse Bouche - of leek and potato vichyssoise

Fig baked with Parma hand and Dolelata with pea shoot salad and raspberry vinaigrette

Confit duck leg with red wine and cheery jus, parsley potato cake, watercress and swede

Cheese course

Chocolate Marquise with creme anglais

Fresh Mint Tea or Coffee with Tiger Butter chocolates 

Everything was beautifully presented and just delicious, a unique dining experience, and such a joy to have all the stresses that sometimes occur when dinning in a restaurant removed. 

So thank you again to Jules and Nick for such a delightful evening and for making us feel so welcome in their home. 

Best ever birthday cake candle!