HERE COMES THE HOUND Alfriston Gardens recently played host to a dog wedding celebration in support of Dogs Trust. The heartwarming event, held to celebrate National Pet Day, saw golden retrievers Maeve and Oakley tie the knot surrounded by their six puppies, creating a joyful and widely shared moment that highlighted just how important pets have become as part of modern weddings. At Alfriston Gardens, a countryside wedding venue in East Sussex loved for its relaxed, exclusive-use setting, including pets is a natural extension of modern, personalised nuptials. Surrounded by open gardens and scenic views, the venue offers you the exibility to create a day that genuinely re ects your lives together. So, the venue is encouraging couples to think beyond the trend and consider how to include beloved fur babies in a way that’s both special and practical. Head over to www.your-sussex. wedding/news to nd their top ve tips. Find out more about the venue at alfristongardens.co.uk Tasting a Sussex spring I had the opportunity to attend a very special evening at Anderida Restaurant at Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club recently. Executive chef Andrew Wilson has recently launched his spring menu and set within the restaurant’s grand surroundings of high windows and sumptuous décor, he opened proceedings with a culinary masterclass on preparing one of my favourite dishes, the classic beef tartare. I’m not ashamed to admit I snuck a second sample! The dishes arrived as a succession of tasting bowls, offering a delightful snippet of each option in every course, which more than delivered on avour, carefully composed and giving an excellent impression of the dishes in full size. The opening dishes immediately set the tone with their memorable combinations. The whipped goat’s cheese with rhubarb, and walnut malt loaf was a standout opener: creamy, tangy and slightly earthy, with the rhubarb cutting through the richness beautifully. Equally impressive was the blood orange cured salmon, where the citrus cure brought brightness to the silky sh, while horseradish yoghurt and fennel added freshness and subtle heat. The guinea fowl Caesar reinterpretation was one of the most inventive plates of the evening. Pickled ranch, parmesan, gem lettuce and anchovy gave familiar Caesar avours a sharper, more modern edge, while the bacon jam and brioche added richness without overwhelming the delicate guinea fowl. Among the mains, the saddle of Sussex lamb was deeply comforting and expertly cooked, paired perfectly with smoked cheddar dauphinoise and sweet spring peas. The roasted South Coast halibut felt re ned and luxurious with razor clams, bacon, caviar and crisp hash browns creating a clever balance between elegance and indulgence. Even the vegetarian option, sesame roasted sweet potato with maple, tempura jackfruit and miso purée, held its own among the meat and sh dishes, delivering layers of sweetness, umami and texture. Desserts were equally thoughtful. The pavlova with pink peppercorn, compressed strawberries, hibiscus and basil sorbet was light, aromatic and refreshing, while the roasted rhubarb with crème diplomat and ginger crumb offered a beautiful balance of sharpness and creaminess. The chocolate crémeux with passion fruit curd was perhaps the richest nale, featuring some of my favourite avours, offset perfectly by the tart sorbet and delicate cocoa soil. Overall, the meal options felt inventive, with each tasting bowl delivering distinct avours and careful attention to texture. If you head to Ashdown Park, you’re promised a perfectly paced menu that beautifully balances comfort, creativity and local, seasonal ingredients. It’s not hard to see why the reputation of this twoAA-Rosette-winning restaurant extends well beyond the local Forest Row area. Find out more at ashdownpark.com/anderidarestaurant josweeneyphotography.co.uk Scan to view video 8
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