Introducing Great British Food at Royal Ascot 2012



Mark Sargeant's
poached Lobster 

Last Friday we hosted an event in London for press to sample the menu devised exclusively for Royal Ascot 2012. Designed to offer racegoers and food connoisseurs alike, the opportunity to indulge in an array of exquisite menus, each specially created for the Royal Meeting.

A particular highlight is the involvement of Folkestone eaterie, Rocksalt. Mark Sargeant has created a series of signature dishes to celebrate great British food at Royal Ascot. A true match of excellence, the partnership of these world class establishments will combine the thrilling atmosphere of the racing with imaginative food complemented with the elegant surroundings.
 

Afternoon Tea

The invited press were able to glimpse over all the dishes on offer throughout the week and sample tasters including carpaccio of Scottish beef, seared foie gras with asparagus gelée and black truffle juice topped off with a wild raspberry and white chocolate daiquiri.

Wine expert Edward Clarke, from Bibendum and Steve Golding, our Executive Head Chef, were on hand to talk through the food on display and the canapé style miniature dishes served.



Japanese-style Bento Box
Tea

Steve Golding enthuses the Afternoon Tea’s are his personal “highlight” this year. Explaining “…In the Parade Ring restaurant we’ll be serving a Japanese-style Bento Box Tea. It’ll have the traditional elements in it but with a fun Eastern spin. In our private boxes, the pastries will be served on the rim of chocolate top hats. It’s a quirky nod to the tradition of hats at Ascot and our relationship with the master of millinery, Stephen Jones.”

Edward Clarke, sights his favourite wine pairing to be the Sancerre Domaine de la Chezatte 2010, Loire, from France, matched with Mark Sargeant’s poached Lobster, with crushed jersey royal potato salad, pink grapefruit and peeled English asparagus.

Picnic in a Box

Also on display were the immaculately packaged ‘Picnics in a Box’, perfect for alfresco dinning; highlights of which include the celebratory ‘Diamond Jubilee Picnic’ featuring all the classics, an ‘Afternoon Tea for Two’ picnic box with sweet treats ideal for sharing and a decadent seafood picnic box from Caviar House.



Fine dining packages range from £270 inc VAT per person. To find out more information or to make a booking please visit our online booking kiosk at www.royalascothospitality.co.uk, call the Hospitality Team on 0844 346 0346 or email: hospitality@ascot.co.uk.

Picnics in a Box from £39.50 inc VAT per person and can be purchased in advance of the Royal Meeting by calling the Royal Ascot picnic booking line on 0844 346 3622.

Headonism: Milliner, Stephen Jones Speaks of His Collaboration with the British Fashion Council and Royal Ascot

London Fashion Week is over and the Headonism exhibition finished, until we welcome its installation at the racecourse over Royal Ascot. 


In the mean time, the video footage below takes a tour of Headonism at Somerset House; hear the thoughts of Stephen Jones, the exhibiting milliners and Director of Hospitality at Ascot, Gary England. 





For more information on Headonism, click here.
To book tickets for Royal Ascot (Tuesday 19th - Saturday 23rd June 2012) click here. 

From The Jungle To The Track - Ant And Dec Announced As Official Patrons Of The Ascot Colts & Fillies Club!

Ant and Dec, two of the biggest names in TV and presenters of the hits shows, I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Saturday Night Takeaway and Britain’s Got Talent, have become the first patrons of the Colts & Fillies Club at Ascot Racecourse.


The Colts & Fillies Club, which currently has over 14,000 members and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, aims to bring horseracing to the next generation of racing enthusiasts by making the sport more accessible, educational and fun.


The Club is free to join for all children aged 16 and under and five dedicated family days form an integral part of the racing calendar at Ascot. There are specifically tailored activities for the Colts & Fillies members to take part in, including organised stable trips, competitions and various raceday initiatives.


In 2012, the Club will own Yurituni, a racehorse trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, and the young members will be able to experience the thrill of racehorse ownership by visiting the horse throughout the year and following her performance on the track.

Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, who met at the age of 13 on the set of the hit BBC children’s drama, Byker Grove, also have more than a passing interest in racing now that they own the horse, Primaeval, with a group of friends.


In 2011, Primaeval ran twice at Ascot and it was here that they became aware of the Colts & Fillies Club.


“We had a lot of fun with horse racing last year, it’s a great sport and a day at the races is really exciting. We’re thrilled to be involved in the Colts & Fillies Club as it offers children the opportunity to learn all about horses and racing whilst at the same time having a great deal of fun! I’m particularly keen to see how their horse runs during 2012.” said Dec.

Ant added, “Ascot is a great family friendly track and we can’t wait to visit on 1st April to have a great day out and to meet some of the Colts and Fillies members”.

-Ends-

For more information about the Colts & Fillies club visit the Colts and Fillies section at: http://www.ascot.co.uk/, call: 0844 346 3000 or email: coltsandfillies@ascot.co.uk

For further information and images:

Karen Smith, PR Manager, Ascot Racecourse: 01344 878430 / 07717 851 566

Vicky Paton, Marketing Manager, Ascot Racecourse; 01344 878523 / 07920 834277

Headonism: Royal Ascot Partner with The British Fashion Council to Promote Emerging Milliners

As London Fashion Week begins on Friday, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re once again involved with Headonism; an exhibition to support and showcase emerging millinery talent curated by Stephen Jones. We’ve formed a partnership with the British Fashion Council to provide the perfect platform for a handful of the finest young hatters to display and promote their wears to international buyers and style press. This season milliners, Charlie le Mindu, J Smith Esquire, Noel Stewart, Piers Atkinson and William Chambers have been chosen to show.

 

Stephen Jones



As our Chief Executive, Charles Barnett, explains “Millinery is an integral part of fashion at Royal Ascot” and so we feel it important to support and nurture the talent of emerging designers. For the first time, racegoers attending the week itself will also be able to view the Headonism exhibition as we play host to the instillation throughout the week of Royal Ascot.

Headonism launches with a special brunch on the first day of London Fashion Week at the British Fashion Council’s head quarters, Somerset House. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest updates directly from the launch on Friday.