Christmas/New Year Dinner

Perhaps it seems too early to be talking about 2026, but in the Wine and Food Society we do need to plan well ahead. And this is a dinner we would encourage you not to miss. To avoid the inevitable “Christmas Rush” in December, when many of our diaries become strained, we have decided to hold it in January. So treat yourself to your first “post Xmas” dinner.

And why would we advise you not to miss it?

• We are holding it, once again, one of the City of London’s Livery Halls, this time the Information Technologists.
• The catering will again be provided by the caterers many of us believe are the best in the City, the Cook & Butler. See the mouthwatering four course menu below.
• And whilst costs for dinners in the City have dramatically increased over the past year, once again, the Branch has decided to subsidise the cost of this evening to make it affordable.

In terms of Livery Companies in the City of London, the Information Technologists are not very old, the Mercers’ Company (number one in order of precedence) having been founded some seven hundred years ago. Even so, much has happened to the Company (proudly numbered 100), during the space of its relatively short years of existence. It developed from the initial idea, first recorded in 1985, via a City Company without Livery, gaining livery status in 1992, to the present time when the WCIT is not only a flourishing Company with its own Hall – but one of the more relevant and influential Livery Companies in the City today.

We will start with drinks reception, followed by a sumptuous dinner accompanied by specially chosen white and red wines as appropriate: 

Chardonnay Baron de Beaumont Brut, Bourgogne

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Filo Pastry Envelope of Sea Bass & Aubergine Caviar, served with Watercress Sauce

Badgers Creek Semillon Chardonnay 2023 South-Eastern Australia

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Confit of Scottish Balmoral Wild Boar with Gooseberry Juice, Celeriac Potato & Roasted Spring Vegetables

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Villa Rocca 2023

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Whole Devon Conference Pear, poached in Crème de Cassis, served with Clotted Cream Ice Cream

Muskat Ottonel Late Harvest Spätlese 2018, Julius Hafner Mönchhof Neusiedlersee.

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The Cotswold Wild Flower Gin Cured Smoked Salmon Quiche, served with a Corn Salad 

We will conclude with coffee or tea and chocolate truffles.

Naturally vegetarian alternatives can be provided, and dietary requirements catered for.

As I said last year and I repeat this year, “one not to miss” 

Nearest tube:    Barbican (5 mins walk)

Mobility:            A lift to the function room

Time:                   6.30 pm. for 7.00 pm

Dress:                 Black Tie

Organiser:        Roger Ellis              Tel: 07860 847743
                             E-mail: roger.ellis@blackraven.co.uk