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FOOD & DRINK:
Behind the scenes look at our test kitchen - Talbot Hall
6th February 2025
Nestled within the picturesque grounds of Heythrop Park, our Cotswolds country retreat, lies Talbot Hall - the beating heart of our food and beverage innovation at Warner Hotels. This fully equipped development kitchen and training area is where our culinary creations are born and perfected. Join us for a sneak peek behind the scenes and discover the vital role Talbot Hall plays in bringing your favourite dishes to life.
A development kitchen we’re proud of
Talbot Hall mirrors the setup of our hotel kitchens, ensuring every recipe works seamlessly for our teams.
But that’s not all. It’s also where we try out new equipment, host photoshoots to showcase dishes in their best light, and create mock-up displays for Market Kitchen, our inviting buffet-style restaurant. Yep, that’s right - the buffet has been thoughtfully designed and meticulously perfected to look really tempting. So, the masterminds at Talbot Hall are probably the reason you always want to go back for seconds!
Talbot Hall is also a key space for bringing together development teams and hotel teams to share experiences and train the team on how to create our latest dishes, ensuring everyone is aligned and ready to wow our guests when new menus launch.
Meet the team behind it all
At the heart of Talbot Hall are Adam Purdy and Nick Butler, our talented Development Chefs. With years of industry experience between them, a huge breadth of knowledge and expertise, Adam and Nick bring creativity and passion to every dish they create.
Nick’s favourite dish: “The crab crumpet rarebit has to be my pick. It’s now a signature starter in our gastro dining restaurants at Heythrop Park and Alvaston Hall. I first came across something similar at Tom Brown’s Cornerstone in 2018 and always wanted to recreate it. Luckily, we had all the top-quality ingredients to make it happen!”
Adam’s favourite dish: “Working on desserts last year was such a standout. Developing the tea brulee served with a giant bourbon biscuit was a lot of fun—there were plenty of trial and error moments until we got it just right!”
What does a typical day at Talbot Hall look like?
No two days are the same in our test kitchen. Adam and Nick juggle meetings with other team members to share progress on exciting projects, while also spending time cooking, tasting, and refining ideas. Some days, suppliers visit to introduce new ingredients and concepts; on others, the team travels to suppliers’ locations to see where the magic begins.
Each dish passes through meticulous stages of development and tasting before being presented to Warner Hotels leadership team. Only then does it get the green light and earn its place on our menus, ready to delight guests.
Making menus that matter
The impact of Talbot Hall is felt across all our hotels. Many of the dishes you’ve enjoyed started their journey here, from our reimagined 2024 starters and deli items to our delectable desserts. The creation of the Coffee Nest concept—a cosy space offering barista-style hot drinks and light bites—also took shape within these walls, adding another layer of choice and comfort, and has become a real talking point of the dining experience at our hotels and villages.
The future of food is bright
What’s next for Talbot Hall as we look ahead to 2025?
- Nick Butler: “I’m excited to work with our amazing new team. Everyone brings unique skills and passion, and there are plenty of thrilling projects on the horizon. I can’t wait to take our food to new heights for all our guests.”
- Adam Purdy: “I’m looking forward to revamping our themed nights in the Market Kitchen with bigger flavours and fresh choices, as well as enhancing our festive menus. It’s going to be fantastic to see guests enjoying these new ideas!"
The future is bright—and delicious! With plans to expand our roast offerings, introduce exciting new themed nights, and roll out refreshed drinks promotions, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of even bigger and better culinary experiences at Warner Hotels.
So, which dish are you most excited to try? Visit us and discover the passion, creativity, and care that go into every plate at Warner Hotels.
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