Great British Food Christmas 2024

The Angel at Hetton, Skipton, Yorkshire Nestled in the rollinghills of theYorkshireDales,Michelin- starredTheAngel Hettonprovides the perfect getaway for food lovers seeking optimumindulgence ina comfortable yet jawdropping setting. SLEEP: The moment we stepped inside The Angel at Hetton we felt cosy and cossetted, exactly what was required after a five-hour journey, and this feeling of comfortable opulence was present throughout our stay. Our room, located within the inn, was luxuriously quiet and kitted out with luxurious mod cons ranging from customisable mood lighting to the biggest copper bath we’d ever seen. The in-roomhonesty bar was filled with quality tipples, and homemade baked treats were awaiting our arrival (they were devoured within minutes of our arrival, naturally). We slept well under luxurious sheets and relished the Angel-exclusive fragranced homewares – from the botanical diffuser to the shampoo, conditioner and hand and body moisturiser. If you are tempted to bring a touch of The Angel at Hetton home after your stay, you can purchase these items downstairs, as well as chef Michael Wignall’s Cotton Gin – a Far East-inspired collaboration with Skipton’s Otterbeck Distillery which celebrates the Angel’s picturesque surroundings. EAT: A tastingmenu is always an indulgence, but nothing could have prepared us for what was to come as we sat in the elegant dining room, resplendent with glamorous touches of nature. A ‘pebble’ filled with a rich eel cream, an unctous Baron Bigod veloute partnered with a perfectly crisp tuile topped with exquisitely cut pickles, and a light-as-air savoury beignet were just the snacks ahead of an eight-course masterclass in fine dining. Tastes of local seasonality were expertly combined with a touch of Asian adventure throughout the menu; a marinated Isle of Mull scallop was served with calamansi, Charentais melon and yuzu ponzu; the flavour-bomb Brassica course perfectly brought together kale, pomme anna, shimeji and a quail egg with British stalwart cheese Lincolnshire Poacher; and even the bread course was a levelled-up showcase of East meetsWest with its hokkaidomilk loaf, Ampersand butter, colonnara lardo and taramasalata. Lobster, guinea fowl, A5 wagyu beef (the best of the best) and a superb selection of artisanal British cheese – supplied by iconic local cheesemonger Andy Swinscoe of The Courtyard Dairy – meant this was a meal we would never forget, and the desserts were just as memorable. A tart offering of Granny Smith apple, lemon verbena and yogurt was the perfect palate cleanser before the final curtain of chef Michael Wignall’s stylish take on a tiramisu. Breakfast the followingmorning was just as decadent. The five-course set menu comprised of a chocolate cream-filled choux and toasted bread with a spiced seasonal jam, followed by thickly-cut Yorkshire bacon and perfectly boiled local egg enhanced with an umami-packed mushroom sauce. DO: There are countless beautiful walks surrounding The Angel at Hetton – its bedrooms come complete with a guide to the best wanders in the area, so do check that out – and with such awe inspiring landscapes at your doorstep it would be remiss to not take a stomp around (walking boots recommended!). It would be impossible to be so close to The Courtyard Dairy without stopping by and picking up some of its expertly cared for and curated cheeses. Knowledgeable staff are on hand to help you choose the best cheeses to suit your palate and the occasion, and are very forthcoming with samples... so go hungry! Once you’ve shopped till you dropped, don’t leave without tucking into the delicious pizza at on-site restaurant Rind – family friendly and passionate about supporting British cheese, this joint (run by the teambehind London’s The Cheese Bar) is a must-visit. For more details visit angelhetton.co.uk 125 greatbr i t i shfoodawards.com REVI EW