Sketch festive hampers
Forget Christmas puddings in a wicker basket, Sketch restaurant has come up with a magical, quirky take on their festive hampers.
Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, their five hampers are different ‘chapters’ in the story. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party hamper (£425), for example – described as ‘a hamper for her’ – includes a Blaue Blume Sketch tea set, Sketch macaroons, Jasmine Tea Jelly, Valrhona chocolate mice and more. The Queen’s Croquet Club hamper (£150) – ‘a hamper for me’ – includes a white chocolate rabbit, a tea set, and a pack of playing cards.
Other treats include specially etched Champagne flutes, luxury candles, wine and chocolate truffles – and all hampers are packaged in pretty wooden birdcages.
Call 020 7659 4500 to order,
or email shop@sketch.uk.com
Frugal cookery at La Cucina Caldesi
Looking after the pennies this Christmas? La Cucina Caldesi, Marylebone’s family-run Italian cookery school, has just announced the addition of some new courses. The Frugal Supper and The Frugal Christmas will look at ways of cooking and shopping on a budget.
The Frugal Supper, Monday 1 December, 6.30pm-9.30pm. (£30 includes tasting plate and vin brulé.) Learn how to make fabulous winter dishes for less than £7 each! Join Giancarlo Caldesi in an exclusive cookery evening where he will show how to create fantastic dishes without blowing the budget.
The Frugal Christmas, Monday 8 December 6.30pm-9.30pm. (£50 includes dinner and vin brulé.) Christmas is a special time but the thought of endless presents as well as planning and shopping for festive meals can be daunting. The Frugal Christmas has therefore been created to help dispel people’s fears of coping with the build-up to the big day as well as the main event itself. Join Stefano Borello for a glass of vin brulé (mulled wine), and watch him cook a festive three-course dinner.There will be plenty of opportunity for asking questions and tasting before sitting down to enjoy the meal.
La Cucina Caldesi,
118 Marylebone Lane W1,
Reservations can be made on 020 7487 0750/6/8 or at www.caldesi.com
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