A Very British Engagement Indeed

   Dukes St James London & The British Fine Jeweller Boodles Team Up!

Mayfair’s leading boutique hotel Dukes St James , is delighted to announce a new luxurious bridal offering with Boodles, A Very British Engagement Indeed package.

A gentleman who wishes to get engaged at Dukes St James London will simply have to call on Ian at Dukes, who will be the gentleman’s engagement coordinator. Ian will make all necessary arrangements on behalf of the gentleman’s wishes, so the proposal is seamless and personally arranged to the finest detail. 

Guests who book A Very British Engagement Indeed package will stay in Duke's spacious and private penthouse suite, which boasts romantic views of the Royal Parks and London’s key attractions. The gentleman who books A Very British Engagement Indeed package with Ian will be groomed to look immaculate for his girlfriend’s arrival. Duke's will arrange for the gentleman to have an old fashioned wet shave, his shoes will be professionally polished, and Duke's can even organise for a custom-made afternoon or evening hat to be hired for the special occasion with Moss Bros prior to check-in.

The lady will arrive at Dukes, where the gentleman has checked them in and she will briefly be shown to the luxurious penthouse suite. The couple will then be whisked away from the doorstop for a romantic horse drawn carriage ride around Hyde Park. After a scenic and romantic afternoon carriage ride, the couple will then be dropped off at the hotel to enjoy a Ultimate Afternoon Tea in the drawing room or at the PJ Lounge.

Whilst the happy couple are sipping Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque champagne, the Ultimate Afternoon Tea tray of exquisite miniatures including: a selection of sandwiches from Iberico bellota and heirloom tomato, Formans smoked salmon and Royal Beluski Caviar, to Dry aged beef with alba white truffle, will be served along with an empty Boodlesbox. The romantic proposal will then take place!

 All being well, the couple can sit down for a champagne consultation with a jeweller from Boodles to choose the perfect Boodles engagement ring together, unless the engagement ring has already been chosen by the gentleman in advance.

Depending on the couple’s preference following their engagement bliss, Dukes can pre-arrange tickets to the London ballet or theatre for an evening performance to round off their romantic day. The couple can also experience a special dinner at Dukes's Thirty Six created especially by Head Chef Nigel Mendham.

A Very British Engagement Indeed at Dukes St James package for £2,750.00 inc VAT.

 Rate includes: overnight accommodation in the Penthouse suite, up to 2 hour afternoon carriage ride, the ultimate afternoon tea and dinner for two with wine pairings at Thirty Six By Nigel Mendham.

The Riding Club Lonodon - Royal Ascot Party

THE RIDING CLUB LONDON CELEBRATES ROYAL ASCOT IN STYLE

The Riding Club London will celebrate Royal Ascot in style with a fabulous party to mark one of the most important equestrian events in the calendar. 

The Riding Club London will be hosting an evening of equestrian chic at Eight Moorgate on Friday 7th June. There will be an array of delicious cocktails and canapés on offer and guests are urged to turn up dressed as if they were in the Royal Enclosure, hats included!

Eight Moorgate is a stunning rooftop club with two floors of terraces, set out over 9000 sq.ft. Located adjacent to Finsbury Square and minutes from Liverpool Street station, the space works wonderfully for holding drinks receptions for celebrations such as this as you can relax and enjoy the spectacular London skyline.

The Riding Club London is an exclusive members club and concierge service that specialises in providing access to the finest horses, venues and instruction in London, the UK and internationally.

The Riding Club London also provides an equestrian concierge service for Londoners and also foreign visitors to the UK. They partner with a huge range of private members clubs, luxury retailers, fitness clubs and country houses to host events and tailor-made riding experiences. The Concierge Service provides advice, arranges trips and events and facilitates access to the finest horses, tuition and venues across the world. Ranging from polo lessons at the best venues in the UK or Argentina to a private box at the Cartier Polo or Royal Ascot, everything can be experienced.

The Riding Club London has three membership levels. New Rider for those looking to learn to ride in quality surroundings, available for £195 annually, Refresher Rider for those who are looking to return to the sport or wanting to progress from beginner and Riders Club,that is ideal for those riders who are of intermediate to advanced level, who miss the exhilaration of riding good horses in beautiful surroundings, which are both £335 payable annually.

So to truly lead the field in the equestrian world, join The Riding Club London 

THE RIDING CLUB LONDON ASCOT SOCIAL

7th June 2013 

£40 Per Person

Ain't Them Bodies Saints After Party - Ciroc Vodka

AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS AFTER PARTY

HOSTED BY CÎROC ULTRA-PREMIUM VODKA 

  Rooney Mara, Casey Affleck, Harvey Weinstein and CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka hosted the glamorous after party for the premiere of the Ain’t Them Bodies Saints film at Nikki Beach.

To celebrate the launch of their new film in Cannes, Casey Affleck and Rooney Mara flocked with friends to Nikki Beach to celebrate their international success and achievement on the film that is tipped to be nominated in the next year’s Academy Awards.

The film, set in the 1970s, which tells a romantic American story of three people on various sides of the law was a huge success at Sundance and Cannes this year, giving the cast members all the more reason to celebrate their achievements in the ultra-glamorous surroundings of Nikki Beach.

Partygoers were entertained by magicians and a wandering saxophonist while they enjoyed a range of innovative CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka cocktails and canapés. Casey showcased his hidden talents as he took over the magic show and wowed his fellow guests with intricate card tricks. Casey was the man of the hour, constantly surrounded by friends who had all come to support him in his latest feature film. 

Academy Award nominee Rooney Mara looked striking as always as she sipped a CÎROC Rocks cocktail with a slicked back up do and dramatic smokey eyes, wearing a white silk blouse and high-waisted black pencil skirt with peep-toe stilettos. Accompanied by a mystery man in a black cap who was on ‘handbag watch’, Rooney made her rounds graciously, socialising with the industry folk but always making sure to catch his attention from across the room.

In true Hollywood form, Harvey Weinstein made an appearance at the party for his new film and made a bee-line for the delicious sushi platters on offer before going to congratulate his stars on their huge success.

The CÎROC bash provided a haven from the torrential downpour that took over the French Riviera as guests basked in the warm glow that radiated from the stunning Nikki Beach venue while sipping CÎROCS, CÎROCAIPI, CÎROCOSMOS, CÎROC Cuban.

 Cannes, 18^th May 2013 

Porters - Vegetarian Week

Porters English Restaurant Doubles It’s Veggie Offering

To mark Vegetarian Week, the popular Porters English Restaurant will be doubling their vegetarian menu from 20^th-26^th May. 

For one week, Porters English Restaurant will be serving two of its world famous pies, veggie-style. Foodies enjoying the meat-free lifestyle, will get to choose between a delicious Creamy Five Wild Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Pie, with a Wholemeal and Poppy Seed Pastry Topping, and Porters’ already famous, Three Bean Spicy Lentil and Vegetable Pie.   

Situated in the heart of Covent Garden, just off the Piazza, Porters English Restaurant has become a perfect haven for both locals and tourists visiting the area. 

Founded by the 7th Earl of Bradford, it was his aim to always serve "good, simple English dishes in comfortable surroundings".  

Porters English Restaurant has a quintessentially British feel, with quaint design features including Doctor Who’s phone box leading to the tardis like kitchen or the small old fashioned car suspended from the ceiling. They have also recently refurbished the restaurant, adding a number of other quirky design pieces including a painting of the Porter’s ‘last night’s supper’ with 17 celebrity figures and icons as well as the Earl of Bradford himself.

 Porters English Restaurant

17 Henrietta Street

London

WC2E 8QH

0207 836 6466

Harmony Of The Exceptional!

Chivas Regal 18 Year Old and Pininfarina have come together for the first time to create a series of limited editions: Chivas 18 by Pininfarina.

The aerodynamic, limited edition design ‘The Drop’ is inspired by air and liquid.

Both Chivas and Pininfarina share a rich heritage in crafting, rewarding and stimulating experiences in luxury. Pininfarina has been a crusader in Italian design and engineering since 1930, whilst Chivas Regal is the original luxury whisky blend, established in 1801. 

 "Italian style means a sense of proportion, simplicity and harmony of line and we applied this sensibility to the designs we developed for Chivas 18.” Chairman of Pininfarina, Paolo Pininfarina.

There are three expressions of Chivas 18 by Pininfarina, including:

Limited Edition 1 - £105

The first expression is based on a streamlined drop, giving a sense of movement that is inherent to Pininfarina. A rich blue, metallic outer case, is reminiscent of the Italian company’s iconic metalwork, while the wood veneer represents the oak barrels so crucial in the ageing process of Chivas 18. 

Limited Edition 2 - £420.

The second expression of the partnership takes classic Pininfarina design cues further, featuring a solid wood inlay and aerodynamic lines. Proudly presenting the limited edition bottle, the limited edition also includes two glasses which echo the drop design – an exclusive creation for Chivas 18, designed by Pininfarina. Each unit is individually numbered, to highlight its limited edition status.

Chivas 18 Mascherone by Pininfarina - Price on application. 

Inspired by the mascherone, the original wooden frame that was used to refine new automobile shapes, the Chivas 18 Mascherone by Pininfarina marks the pinnacle of the partnership. Hand assembled in Cambiano by Pininfarina, it features an oak internal structure, clad in aluminium. Mirroring the elegant precision of Pininfarina's celebrated automotive innovations, only five of this collector's piece will be on display globally and individual pieces will be made to order on request. A light at the base of the Mascherone brings this artistic piece to life.

“The partnership celebrates the synergies between heritage, luxury and style. Chivas Regal understands design and has a history of working with iconic visionaries in this field. Together with Pininfarina, we have produced a range that reflects the luxury and quality credentials of both partners and celebrates the beauty of deluxe design. The limited edition range will appeal to those with an appreciation for craftsmanship, history and elegance.” Patrick Venning, Marketing Director at Pernod Ricard UK.

Sugar Paste Workshop by Stefi Jakab

Le Cordon Bleu-trained cake artist Stefi Jakab has announced the launch of her private masterclass service.

Sharing the trade secrets behind her unique creative designs & intricate creations, Stefi will offer tutorials in both private homes and in the work place.

Suitable for novices and pro cake decorators, created for both one-to-ones and small groups, these events will offer a step-by-step guide to producing miniature works of art inspired by the latest trends, not only in baking, but fashion and culture.

They can be tailor-made for any occasion, whether it’s a bride-to-be wanting to produce something extra special for her nuptials or for a corporate team building exercise with a difference.

Your's truly, was invited to learn the art of sugar paste. After a demonstration from the lovely Stefi we were on our way, icing our own lemon cakes which Stefi had baked for us that day. Take a look below for your guide to sugar paste.

 Covering a Cake with Sugarpaste

• Pop your cake onto a thin cake board the same size as your cake.

• First you will need something for your sugarpaste to stick to, so mask your chosen cakewith two thin layers of buttercream, chilling in the fridge for at least 30 minutes between each covering. Chill again after the second covering of buttercream.

• Dust your work surface with icing sugar and knead the sugarpaste until smooth,soft and pliable.

• Roll it out into a size big enough to cover your cake on the top and down the sides, aswell as a little extra to allow you to neaten the bottom edges...When rolling remember not keep moving the icing around, but don't turn it over.

•  Lift the sugarpaste onto the cake using either your rolling pin, or your hands, whichever you are more comfortable with.

• Gently press the sugarpaste against the cake with your hands whilst also smoothing atthe same time. Don’t pull the sugarpaste “down”, as this will cause it to tear, merely push it into the cake, and slightly upward.

• Use an icing smoother to give a really smooth finish. Any air bubbles will need to be “chased” out using a pin.

• Pop the cake onto a turntable, or hold it in your hand, and neatly trim away the excess sugarpaste which falls below the line of the cake, keeping it flush with the cake board...Remember if this goes a bit wonky you could always cover it with ribbon. 

Stefi’s workshops also make a great gift idea for that special birthday or anniversary