Michelin-starred chef Roger Jones hosts dinner with South African and New Zealand wines
On 22 January 2016, we will be hosting a highly-anticipated wine-pairing dinner with Michelin-starred Chef Roger Jones from the UK’s The Harrow at Little Bedwyn. This evening will see each carefully planned dish paired with both a South African and New Zealand wine, served blind in pairs.
Wine-pairing battle
The planning of the epic ‘battle of the wines’ follows the success of the 2015 dinner. During the 2015 battle South African wines reigned triumphant over their Australian counterparts. The 2016 dinner sees the next leg of the tri-nations series. South Africa’s finest wines will compete against those from New Zealand, as diners vote for their favourite wine per course.
Says Roy Davies, General Manager, “We are excited to bring the culinary skills of Chef Roger Jones to the hotel for the second time. As South African wines were the overwhelming favourite at the 2015 wine-pairing dinner, we are keen to see whether they can retain their title at the 2016 event. No matter the outcome, we are sure the debate between the two will make for an interesting evening!”
The menu
Ensuring that ‘local flavour’ is also showcased, the menu for the evening will be developed in conjunction with the Executive Chef of the Vineyard Hotel, Carl van Rooyen, and his team. Combining the rich food and wine history of the property with Jones’ Michelin training and 40 years in the hospitality business, this wine-pairing dinner is sure to delight both food and wine aficionados alike.
Roger Jones and The Harrow at Little Bedwyn
As one of the Queen’s former head chefs, at 21, Roger Jones was the youngest chef to run State banquets at the palace and cook for the Royal family. Jones is one of the few chefs to have built a reputation as much for his wine knowledge as his culinary skills. He has achieved a Michelin-star every year since 2006 and countless other awards.
Together with his wife, Sue, Jones has transformed the The Harrow at Little Bedwyn from a village inn to an awarded country restaurant favouring free-range ingredients from British producers. The Harrow at Little Bedwyn has held three AA Rosettes for nine years. It was also voted one of Britain’s Top 100 restaurants in 2012 by the Sunday Times where it was labeled a “gastronomic gem”.
