Latest news with #WinterWarmers
Telegraph
05-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
King learned how to grow veg from me, says Raymond Blanc
Cementing their partnership, Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons will now work with the King's Foundation, offering training and development opportunities for students and staff at Dumfries House in Ayrshire and Highgrove Gardens, Glos. The King's charity, which promotes slow food and fashion, offers courses and educational programmes on a vast range of heritage crafts and skills, from embroidery and woodwork to hedge-laying. Blanc hailed the King for his role in helping to change society's attitudes towards sustainability. 'Way back in the 1970s, he had to fight, which was not easy because there were so many detractors,' he said. 'I think now it's wonderful to see really, that the King's views are now totally accepted and very much part of this new world order, where we are doing something about it.' He said that modern consumers now cared much more about buying luxury goods that would last. 'Excellence in the past was all about the outside – gold painted while inside was toxic,' he said. 'The way excellence is working today – whether it is textiles, whether it is cars – is creating things which are recyclable. 'We have a modern guest who is much more responsible, much more knowledgeable, who wants a different form of excellence. 'We don't want that gold-plated luxury. We want to know what's inside… when you buy a car, you will ask different questions than yesterday. 'And the King has been very much instrumental in this change.' 'Brother in arms' To mark his role as an ambassador, Blanc created a three-course lunch at Highgrove on Wednesday for the annual Winter Warmers event, an initiative designed to tackle social isolation. Speaking at Highgrove, Blanc said he considered the King a 'brother in arms'. 'I am very happy and honoured as a Frenchman, a French republican, to be an ambassador, to serve the cause,' he said of his new role at the foundation. 'We want to create lots of engagement between our gardens, an exchange of skills. I certainly would love to consider doing a garden cookery school.' He paid tribute to his mother and father, who instilled in him a culture of growing food and not wasting anything. On the King's visit to Le Manoir, he added: 'He spent three hours in the pelting rain asking endless questions and I felt he was a brother in arms.' Blanc is the 10th ambassador to join the foundation, with one or two more due to be announced later this year, as the charity marks its 35th anniversary. 'Incredible opportunities' A spokesman said they were aiming for broad appeal. 'It is part of an effort to deepen the impact of the foundation's work, and ensure a wider audience is aware of the incredible opportunities we can offer to our students in particular,' they said. 'We are keen to have committed people on board who share our vision of a world where people, places and the planet can live in harmony, who are passionate about nature, and who can inspire our students and staff.' Blanc joins a new cohort of high-profile new signings at the foundation, among them, David Beckham, Sienna Miller, Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster. The charity said it was keen to work alongside those who were 'genuinely interested' in its work and could get deeply and actively involved. Beckham is focused on young people and beekeeping, while Miller is interested in textiles and Lancaster, a volunteer special constable, is interested in building communities.
The Independent
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Raymond Blanc recalls hours in kitchen garden with ‘brother in arms' King
Raymond Blanc has described spending hours in his kitchen garden in the pouring rain with the King, saying he felt they were 'brothers in arms'. The renowned chef visited Charles's Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire to serve a two-course lunch of his classic vegetable pistou soup with baguette, followed by lemon cake, to charity guests. He joined people from The Churn Project, which supports about 2,000 people each year in Cirencester and nearby villages, for the meal – delighting guests by heaping generous servings of parmesan cheese on to their bowls. Before the food was served, Blanc was cheered by attendees as he gave a speech to announce that he has become an ambassador for The King's Foundation. As part of this, his restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, in Oxfordshire, will offer training opportunities for students and staff at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire and Highgrove Gardens. In a speech to the room, Blanc described himself as a 'French republican' but said he was honoured to become an ambassador for the King's charity, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. He said: 'It is so wonderful what The King's Foundation has achieved. I am very happy and honoured as a Frenchman, a French republican, to be an ambassador, to serve the cause. 'We want to create lots of engagement between our gardens, an exchange of skills. I certainly would love to consider doing a garden cookery school.' He paid tribute to his mother and father, who instilled in him a culture of growing food and not wasting anything. The chef said guests were enjoying Maman Blanc's soup, which uses water instead of stock as she loved 'simplicity'. 'In that bowl of soup, the peas, the broad beans, the celery, the potatoes, the carrot, all the herbs are going to give the flavour,' he explained. 'You will see the freshness of that soup and you will have a big smile on your face.' Blanc added that he had been making the lemon cake for 40 years and serves it to guests at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons along with a glass of champagne. 'It is always about simplicity and deliciousness,' he said. Blanc said The King's Foundation had achieved much in bringing communities together, empowering young people and passing on knowledge across the world. He added that it worked to 'really make people aware of the connection between agriculture, food, health, nutrition and giving young people an opportunity'. The chef described a previous visit to Highgrove in which he told Charles that he 'loved' the gardens there and invited the King to his own at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons as it was 'at least as good'. 'He came for three hours and it was raining cats and dogs,' Blanc said. 'He spent three hours in the pelting rain asking endless questions and I felt he was a brother in arms.' The guests were attending a Winter Warmers event, an initiative by The King's Foundation to tackle social isolation, at Highgrove's Orchard Room on Wednesday. They were served: – Vegetable and pistou soup– Traditional baguette from Le Manoir– Raymond Blanc's lemon cake In a statement ahead of the event, Blanc said: ' The King is a true champion for the natural world and I have seen first-hand how his foundation works tirelessly to bring his vision to life.' Kim Kimbrell, ageing well co-ordinator at The Churn Project, said the 60 guests were 'so excited' to be at Highgrove and to meet Blanc. 'They shouted and cheered when he came out, they were so excited and didn't know it was happening,' she said. 'We are so very lucky to be here and it was the icing on the cake. 'This event shows how important our work is. For some of our people here, some weeks they don't see anybody. 'Being able to be part of the Churn Project and to have beautiful opportunities like this, there are smiles all round.' The King's Foundation has been custodian of Highgrove Gardens since 2021, with the Winter Warmers initiative introduced in 2023 to combat social isolation in the local community during the winter months. The events, which run between January and March, include activities such as crafts, board games and knitting. Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The King's Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Raymond as an ambassador for The King's Foundation. 'Like His Majesty, Raymond's approach to prioritising organic and sustainable food production was ahead of its time. 'We are thrilled our students and staff will have the opportunity to benefit from his experience and vision through training opportunities at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in the future.' Last year, Blanc worked with The King's Foundation on an ITV series entitled Raymond Blanc's Royal Kitchen Gardens. This was filmed at properties managed by the charity, including Highgrove Gardens, Dumfries House in East Ayrshire and the Castle of Mey in Caithness, Highlands. Blanc joins existing King's Foundation ambassadors including David Beckham, Sienna Miller, Alan Titchmarsh, Sarah Beeny, Patrick Grant, George Clarke and Jools Holland.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Raymond Blanc recalls hours in kitchen garden with ‘brother in arms' King
Raymond Blanc has described spending hours in his kitchen garden in the pouring rain with the King, saying he felt they were 'brothers in arms'. The renowned chef visited Charles's Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire to serve a two-course lunch of his classic vegetable pistou soup with baguette, followed by lemon cake, to charity guests. He joined people from The Churn Project, which supports about 2,000 people each year in Cirencester and nearby villages, for the meal – delighting guests by heaping generous servings of parmesan cheese on to their bowls. Before the food was served, Blanc was cheered by attendees as he gave a speech to announce that he has become an ambassador for The King's Foundation. As part of this, his restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, in Oxfordshire, will offer training opportunities for students and staff at Dumfries House in East Ayrshire and Highgrove Gardens. In a speech to the room, Blanc described himself as a 'French republican' but said he was honoured to become an ambassador for the King's charity, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. He said: 'It is so wonderful what The King's Foundation has achieved. I am very happy and honoured as a Frenchman, a French republican, to be an ambassador, to serve the cause. 'We want to create lots of engagement between our gardens, an exchange of skills. I certainly would love to consider doing a garden cookery school.' He paid tribute to his mother and father, who instilled in him a culture of growing food and not wasting anything. The chef said guests were enjoying Maman Blanc's soup, which uses water instead of stock as she loved 'simplicity'. 'In that bowl of soup, the peas, the broad beans, the celery, the potatoes, the carrot, all the herbs are going to give the flavour,' he explained. 'You will see the freshness of that soup and you will have a big smile on your face.' Blanc added that he had been making the lemon cake for 40 years and serves it to guests at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons along with a glass of champagne. 'It is always about simplicity and deliciousness,' he said. Blanc said The King's Foundation had achieved much in bringing communities together, empowering young people and passing on knowledge across the world. He added that it worked to 'really make people aware of the connection between agriculture, food, health, nutrition and giving young people an opportunity'. The chef described a previous visit to Highgrove in which he told Charles that he 'loved' the gardens there and invited the King to his own at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons as it was 'at least as good'. 'He came for three hours and it was raining cats and dogs,' Blanc said. 'He spent three hours in the pelting rain asking endless questions and I felt he was a brother in arms.' The guests were attending a Winter Warmers event, an initiative by The King's Foundation to tackle social isolation, at Highgrove's Orchard Room on Wednesday. They were served: – Vegetable and pistou soup– Traditional baguette from Le Manoir– Raymond Blanc's lemon cake In a statement ahead of the event, Blanc said: 'The King is a true champion for the natural world and I have seen first-hand how his foundation works tirelessly to bring his vision to life.' Kim Kimbrell, ageing well co-ordinator at The Churn Project, said the 60 guests were 'so excited' to be at Highgrove and to meet Blanc. 'They shouted and cheered when he came out, they were so excited and didn't know it was happening,' she said. 'We are so very lucky to be here and it was the icing on the cake. 'This event shows how important our work is. For some of our people here, some weeks they don't see anybody. 'Being able to be part of the Churn Project and to have beautiful opportunities like this, there are smiles all round.' The King's Foundation has been custodian of Highgrove Gardens since 2021, with the Winter Warmers initiative introduced in 2023 to combat social isolation in the local community during the winter months. The events, which run between January and March, include activities such as crafts, board games and knitting. Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The King's Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Raymond as an ambassador for The King's Foundation. 'Like His Majesty, Raymond's approach to prioritising organic and sustainable food production was ahead of its time. 'We are thrilled our students and staff will have the opportunity to benefit from his experience and vision through training opportunities at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in the future.' Last year, Blanc worked with The King's Foundation on an ITV series entitled Raymond Blanc's Royal Kitchen Gardens. This was filmed at properties managed by the charity, including Highgrove Gardens, Dumfries House in East Ayrshire and the Castle of Mey in Caithness, Highlands. Blanc joins existing King's Foundation ambassadors including David Beckham, Sienna Miller, Alan Titchmarsh, Sarah Beeny, Patrick Grant, George Clarke and Jools Holland.
The Independent
05-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
Raymond Blanc pays tribute to King as ‘true champion of natural world'
Raymond Blanc has paid tribute to the King as a 'true champion for the natural world' ahead of a visit to his Gloucestershire home. The renowned chef made the comments during an announcement that he has become an ambassador for the King's Foundation. He will join attendees at a Winter Warmers event, an initiative to tackle social isolation, at Highgrove's Orchard Room on Wednesday. Blanc has created a menu of vegetable soup, baguette and lemon cake for the day, which will see the local community welcomed into the space for lunch, games and companionship. Those attending on Wednesday are from the Churn Project, which supports more than 2,000 people each year in Cirencester and nearby villages. Speaking ahead of the event, Blanc said: 'I am pleased and proud to become an ambassador for The King's Foundation. ' The King is a true champion for the natural world and I have seen first-hand how his foundation works tirelessly to bring his vision to life. 'It has been an honour to work in partnership with the team at Highgrove to create this special menu for the local community today and I look forward to continuing to work together on training and development opportunities for students and staff alike.' The menu created for Wednesday is: – Vegetable and pistou soup – Traditional baguette from Le Manoir – Raymond Blanc's lemon cake The King's Foundation is planning to work with Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, in Oxfordshire, to offer training and development opportunities for students and staff at Dumfries House and Highgrove Gardens. Founded in 1990 by Charles as Prince of Wales, the charity aims to build communities and transform lives through its practical education programmes in food, farming and horticulture. It has been custodian of Highgrove gardens since 2021, with the Winter Warmers initiative introduced in 2023 to combat social isolation in the local community during the winter months. The events, which run between January and March, include activities such as craft, board games and knitting. Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The King's Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Raymond as an ambassador for The King's Foundation. 'Like His Majesty, Raymond's approach to prioritising organic and sustainable food production was ahead of its time. 'We are thrilled our students and staff will have the opportunity to benefit from his experience and vision through training opportunities at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in the future.' Last year, Blanc worked with The King's Foundation on an ITV series entitled Raymond Blanc's Royal Kitchen Gardens. This was filmed at properties managed by the charity, including Highgrove Gardens, Dumfries House in East Ayrshire and the Castle of Mey in Caithness, Highlands. Raymond Blanc joins existing King's Foundation ambassadors including David Beckham, Sienna Miller, Alan Titchmarsh, Sarah Beeny, Patrick Grant, George Clarke and Jools Holland.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Raymond Blanc pays tribute to King as ‘true champion of natural world'
Raymond Blanc has paid tribute to the King as a 'true champion for the natural world' ahead of a visit to his Gloucestershire home. The renowned chef made the comments during an announcement that he has become an ambassador for the King's Foundation. He will join attendees at a Winter Warmers event, an initiative to tackle social isolation, at Highgrove's Orchard Room on Wednesday. Blanc has created a menu of vegetable soup, baguette and lemon cake for the day, which will see the local community welcomed into the space for lunch, games and companionship. Those attending on Wednesday are from the Churn Project, which supports more than 2,000 people each year in Cirencester and nearby villages. Speaking ahead of the event, Blanc said: 'I am pleased and proud to become an ambassador for The King's Foundation. 'The King is a true champion for the natural world and I have seen first-hand how his foundation works tirelessly to bring his vision to life. 'It has been an honour to work in partnership with the team at Highgrove to create this special menu for the local community today and I look forward to continuing to work together on training and development opportunities for students and staff alike.' The menu created for Wednesday is: – Vegetable and pistou soup – Traditional baguette from Le Manoir – Raymond Blanc's lemon cake The King's Foundation is planning to work with Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, in Oxfordshire, to offer training and development opportunities for students and staff at Dumfries House and Highgrove Gardens. Founded in 1990 by Charles as Prince of Wales, the charity aims to build communities and transform lives through its practical education programmes in food, farming and horticulture. It has been custodian of Highgrove gardens since 2021, with the Winter Warmers initiative introduced in 2023 to combat social isolation in the local community during the winter months. The events, which run between January and March, include activities such as craft, board games and knitting. Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The King's Foundation, said: 'We are delighted to welcome Raymond as an ambassador for The King's Foundation. 'Like His Majesty, Raymond's approach to prioritising organic and sustainable food production was ahead of its time. 'We are thrilled our students and staff will have the opportunity to benefit from his experience and vision through training opportunities at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in the future.' Last year, Blanc worked with The King's Foundation on an ITV series entitled Raymond Blanc's Royal Kitchen Gardens. This was filmed at properties managed by the charity, including Highgrove Gardens, Dumfries House in East Ayrshire and the Castle of Mey in Caithness, Highlands. Raymond Blanc joins existing King's Foundation ambassadors including David Beckham, Sienna Miller, Alan Titchmarsh, Sarah Beeny, Patrick Grant, George Clarke and Jools Holland.
