Hidden Harewood Review: A magical mystery foodie tour

Pop-up Event – Leeds – Hidden Harewood – Harewood Food & Drink Project 

Hidden Harewood Review: A magical mystery foodie tour with The Harewood Food & Drink Project

Recently we were one of the lucky few to get an invite to The Harewood Food & Drink Project’s very first pop-up event, Hidden Harewood. Set in the fairy-tale setting of Harewood Estate. Owner and Director Eddie Lascelles has big plans for the incredible produce grown and reared on the grounds of one of the UK’s best stately homes. From the inception last year there’s been a collaboration with Harrogate gin company Whittaker’s and the Estate’s 120 years old mulberry tree, to produce their fantastic London dry gin. Also, a partnership with local microbrewery Quirky Ales, to create seasonal beers based on hops and rhubarb from the walled garden. Moving onto launching their new supper clubs with a difference, they promise the opportunity to discover some of Harewood’s secret locations, whilst being wined and dined. Their menu has been created by Josh Whitehead, current Sous Chef at one of Leeds best restaurants, Ox Club and a previous contestant on MasterChef: The Professionals. Showcasing dishes inspired by Harewood’s heritage and the produce grown on site.
    
    
We arrived to gin cocktails and canapés at the All Saints Church overlooking the Harewood House at sunset. From chicken liver parfait with coconut, venison tartare from the Estate’s red deer and a vegan-friendly parsley sponge and peanut. The quality of the produce shone through and worked well with the addition of the more unfamiliar ingredients from Josh’s recent travels to Asia.
    
    
Onto the next stop across the field via a ride on one of the Estate’s old beaters wagons to the Garden Lodge. No expense spared with the setup and decoration of such a beautiful venue. Guests were then treated to a moreish selection of sourdough bread served with peanut oil, burnt butter and smoked grated venison heart. Together with a venison dumpling in woodland broth with turnip from the Estate and kaffir lime leaf to cut through the rich gamey dumpling. A surprisingly light dish that paired well with our glass of Sauvignon Blanc.
    
Transported by tractor across the field and through the woodland, we reached our next destination, The Hovels. Formally an old stable, now utilized as an intimate event or meeting space, again perfectly presented to showcase such a special evening. Back to the food and this is where Josh really went to town to highlight the finest ingredients at his disposal. For mains, melt in the mouth tender fillet of venison served with Asian inspired slow-cooked venison shoulder, cabbage and beans from the walled garden. Accompanied by an Indonesian pattie of chilli, potato and peanut, with a silky venison, beetroot and red wine sauce. The balance of different flavours complimented each other but the star of the show had to be the venison fillet. Absolutely faultless. Eddie advised us he had the painstaking task of sampling which wines would pair with the dishes with the expertise of Latitude Wines. Their north Italian red was absolutely made for that main course.
    
Our dessert was a much more English affair. Combining branches from the Estate’s mulberry tree with milk to infuse as an ice cream, finished with fresh mulberries, oats and edible flowers. Another absolute winner. Saving possibly the best venue until last, diners were then transported to another location. This time, hidden beneath the trees where the team had set up a bar and campfire next to the Estate folly. With soft lighting, deer in the distance and an espresso martini in hand, it was easy to forget how close we still were to Leeds city centre.
    
    
Josh finished the evening in fine form with a selection of petit fours, from banana and turmeric cake, mini chocolate and tamarind truffles, and pear and palm seed marshmallows. All showcasing his recent travels and culinary experiences.This unique event was different to anything I’ve experienced before. What better way to showcase some of the incredible produce at the Harewood Food & Drink Project, than the location it was raised, in the beautiful surroundings of Harewood Estate.
Pop-up Event – Leeds – Hidden Harewood – Harewood Food & Drink Project 
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