Sitwell Supper Club is delighted to announce a dinner and return visit by the celebrated chef Romy Gill on Friday September 20 2024 to Sitwell Supper Club, West Somerset TA4 3PT. Appointed an MBE in Her Late Majesty's 90th Birthday Honours in 2016 Romy is regarded as one of the UK's finest Indian chefs. This dinner will be a fabulous taste of classic Indian cuisine - lamb and goat, delicious naan bread and dal makhani -  using the grills and tandoor oven of the Sitwell Supper Club kitchens.

Your host, as ever, is William Sitwell, one of Britain's foremost food writers. Restaurant critic for The Telegraph, he has been a regular judge on the BBC hit show MasterChef for almost 20 years. His supper club, in his converted cow shed at Rooks Nest Farm near Wiveliscombe in West Somerset off Exmoor, is a firm favourite for lovers of great food, great wine and great times!

Having grown up in West Bengal India Romy moved to the UK in 1993 and quickly became involved in the food world running cooking classes and launching a range of sauces and spices. She opened a restaurant, Romy's Kitchen, in Thornbury, Gloucestershire in 2013 and has subsequently written a number of books including Zaika – Vegan Recipes from India and On The Himalayan Trail.

She is a regular chef on BBC1's Ready Steady Cook and has appeared on many other TV programmes including The One Show, Celebrity MasterChef, The Hairy Bikers’ Comfort Food, James Martin’s Saturday Morning and Sunday Brunch. A gifted cook and teacher, described by Jamie Oliver, as 'a genius' she is a regular contributor to publications such as BBC Food, The Telegraph, The Sunday Times and Ocado Magazine, and, for her services to the hospitality industry, was rewarded with her MBE.

Her latest book is Romy Gill’s India (Hardie Grant, £28), signed copies of which will be available to purchase on the night!

Weather-dependent this dinner will take place in the outer dining room on William's famously long table or in the smartly dressed and copsy tent within the barn, starting with drinks, a choice of gin and champagne. As a diner you'll take your seat, marked with place cards for you and your party.

Order of play

Drinks are from 7pm. Speeches and dinner from 7.30pm. The event ends at 10.30pm.

​Courtesy Drinks

Fishers Gin and Double Dutch tonic, Fortnum's Franciacorta. This is the most majestic of Italian sparkling wines, made in Brescia in the region of Lombardy. The F&M Franciacorta is made by Franca Contea, a small family-owned domaine situated between Lake Iseo and the beautiful mountains of Valcamonica. The cuvee is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes in the traditional méthode Champenoise, with the secondary fermentation in the bottle. The extended ageing on its lees imparts minerality and a further depth of flavour to add to the tantalising freshness on the palate.

Menu

Starter
Crispy spicy potato Samosas served with mint and coriander and tamarind chutney
Shuka crab served on crumpets, cooked with panch phoron, curry leaves, chilli and coconut milk

Bread
Tandoor naan

Mains
Romy Gill's Famous Butter Chicken 
Aubergine & Potato Curry (for vegetarians only )
Dal Makhani, and Kachumber Salad

Dessert
Blackberries tart with cardamom, fennel and cinnamon cream

​DRINKS

In addition to welcome drinks, waters are included in the ticket price; refreshing Acqua Panna and sparkling San Pellegrino.

Our champagne tonight is Fortnum's Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Champagne, Maison Bonnet. Produced by Maison Bonnet, it's made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes sourced from Les Ricey in the Côte des Bar region. Golden in colour with complex notes of gooseberry, cherry, red apple and quince, this makes a delicious aperitif and pairs perfectly with foods as varied as charcuterie and mushrooms. Dense and spicy it has a long, mineral finish.

Other drinks such as local Exmoor Ale are extra and can be purchased from the bar.

After-dinner cocktails are also available, courtesy of Moth drinks, who provide a range of stunning mixes such as an Old Fashioned, Negronis and Espresso Martini.

The Sitwell Supper Club is also proud to be associated with Richard Brendon glassware. Designer Richard's wine glasses were created with the assistance of Jancis Robinson OBE MW and his collection of cocktail glasses are beautiful mouth-blown glassware inspired by a mix of turn-of- the 20th century and modern cocktail culture.

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CARS

There is car parking on site.

Any queries please email: sitwellsupperclub@hotmail.com

FAQS

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY

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What time does the event begin? Doors open at 7PM. Please note drinks are not served until 7PM.

What is the dress code? Regular guests dress smart/casual with warmth a key factor in their style. Please note this event takes place in an old cow shed. While there are blankets, please dress for the outdoors.

​What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event? There is parking at the venue. You are welcome to leave your car overnight and take a taxi home.

​How can I contact the organiser with any questions? Email: sitwellsupperclub@hotmail.com

I'm a vegetarian, can you cater for me and show me some love? At The Sitwell Supper Club we always welcome vegetarians. Please ensure you inform the host of all dietaries no later than seven days prior to an event. Email: sitwellsupperclub@hotmail.com

Can you cater for any dietaries, such as gluten-free? Indeed we can, but, as above, kindly inform the host of any dietaries no later than seven days prior to the event. Please email: sitwellsupperclub@hotmail.com

​What's the dress code: Smart/casual and please bear in mind the British weather

If the event is showing as sold out, is there hope for me and my pals? You can email the host requesting seats in the event of dropouts.

What are the seating arrangements? Seating is allocated by the host and seating will have place cards. If you have friends coming under a separate booking please email the host if you would like to sit with them. Email: sitwellsupperclub@hotmail.com

What's the refund policy? There are NO refunds. Please read FAQs carefully so that you are happy with everything before you book.

Where can I stay?

Accommodation may be found at the nearby Notley Arms in Monksilver, or The White Hart in Wiveliscombe.

​There's also Demsey, a charming 18th century cottage in the next door village of Brompton Ralph - a five minute drive, or you could walk across the fields... This exquisite accommodation can sleep four people, it's a very rural escape, well-appointed and children and babies are welcome too!

​And close to our nearest town of Wiveliscombe you can rent a beautiful cabin for two at North Down Farm. Amid a 190-acre beef cattle farm it's a cosy place to stay with a wood burner, an Everhot stove and wonderful views.

Supper club guests can also benefit from a 10 % discount if they book into the Yarn Market Hotel in Dunster. The hotel also offers free transport and special weekend deals for groups of seven or more.

Or make a cosy long weekend of it with utterly fabulous views and book a shepherd's hut at nearby Higher Roddon Farm. Duncan and Alexis Thomas rent out two couple's huts on their farm.

We also highly recommend a stay Steam and Stars, a luxury shepherd's hut or chic vintage caravan in Sampford Brett, near Williton. Check out steamandstars.co.uk and let them know that you're coming to the Sitwell Supper Club! Owners Trevor and Bee will also drive you to and from Rooks Nest!!