CCUK Weston Park Review

Weston Park

Category: Hotel, Restaurant, Farm shop
Reviewer: RichardVenue: Weston Park, Weston Under Lizzard, Nr Shifnal, TF11 8LE. Tel. 01952 852100 Web: www.weston-park.com

To Be the first Rated on the New Catering Centre UK website is going to set the bench mark rather high, as how do I rate such a Jewel, of not just Staffordshire, but the whole of England!

My wife Kelly and I had been invited to attend our good friends Matthew and Sarah's Wedding with the ceremony to be held in St Andrews Church located on the Estate and followed by, in the main house, a wedding breakfast served in the Victorian Orangery.
After approaching through the Shrewsbury Gate and driving through wonderful picturesque parkland where they hold such events as the ever popular V festival, we pulled outside the main house under the portico where we were met by a traditional "footman" who arranged for the removal of our luggage and the parking of my car. We were then swiftly escorted to our room, "The Four Poster Room" where we overlooked some of the estates formal gardens and the 'capability' Brown Parkland. You could not help but feel in oar of the years of history and the sites this historic house had laid witness to.

After a lovely Marriage ceremony we proceeded back to the main house where champagne and strawberry's were served by the rather competent and cheery waiting staff. After some informal photos and a enjoyable stroll through the formal gardens where we had the perfect opportunity to catch up with some old friends that a flown in from the middle east. We were then called to take our seats in the Victorian Orangery and after passing through the marble Hall and spectacular dining room, which can quite comfortably seat 40plus guests. We were not disappointed with the setting as we entered into the Orangery with its Natural stone walls,floor and glazed exterior, one can only imagine the exotic fruits and plants which were once cultivated in this magnificent space.

Seated on round tables of 10 guests, with an oval top table for the bride and groom and their immediate family. The room itself was well spaced out and the table settings were immaculate, as I would have expected for Weston Park!
The wine was poured by the waiting staff who delivered us firstly with a rather pleasant Sauvignon Blanc followed by a Cabernet Savignon before our main course was served along with it homemade bread, although the waitress missing me out in the first round was frustrating, I was lucky to partake on her second visit to the table.

Terrine of Smoke Salmon, herb cream cheese with lemon along with capers and coriander oil was delivered next with the skill and speed that you would expect, the waiters would tray down the plates from the main house kitchen where two of the senior staff, dressed wearing tails, presented the food. It was a very well executed service, one I'm sure which has been carried out many times to ensure perfection.
It was a wonderfully light starter and, like any good dish, left me wanting more. The tower of cleanly cut salmon layered with the cream cheese was delicate and refined, mouth wateringly good and an excellent dish for banqueting.

The wine flowed and the chatter continued, I didn't even notice the table being cleared and the wine being replenished! We had plenty of table water which was also replenished without having ask, a simple thing but so often forgotten at large functions. Our Main course of Duck arrived and was perfectly warm and well presented considering the travel time! Perfectly cooked I'm guessing with a Combi (Rational perhaps?)which left the Breast moist and with the hint of pink, again a tried and tested dish perfected for this occasion no doubt, this was served along with table vegetables, although once gone they were not replenished, which left some of the larger appetites on my table expecting more!

By now the wine had been flowing and the Red was very drinkable, served from the Artis Perception Wine Glasses. I later found out they prefer to use for functions to reduce the crystal breakages! (I have some 10,000 Perception Glasses on the Event Hire, so was rather pleased to see them used at Weston Park)
Dessert of pear and mixed nut treacle tart with vanilla ice cream was a soft sweet ending to what felt like a lovely light wedding breakfast, the meal was completed with coffee and petit fours before the champagne and speeches.

As we relaxed, after the speeches with a bar service in the Marble Hall, the room was swiftly transformed for the live band and dancing that followed. Although vast in size the Main House at Weston park is one of the most relaxing and comfortable venues I have been lucky enough to attend, it felt personal and not complicated, the staff were courteous and friendly without intruding and a credit to Graham Curry the Head Butler.
As the main house is not a hotel and you can only stay as a invited guest this adds to the charm and if I'm honest the attraction of Weston park. To be able to walk the corridors where great Poets and Artists, Kings and Queens and in recent years World Leaders have been, leaves the most wonderful lasting memories of both seeing our close friends Marry and the wonderful setting supplied by Weston Park.

Service 8, very pleasing and hugely above average considering they are not full time serving staff.
Cleanliness 9, a credit to the back of house team.
Drinks 7, limited range as to be expected and lacking something with basic pub bar glasses.
Food 9, excellent, the best banqueting food I can remember.
Rooms 9, if you can fall in love with a room!!!! Excellent (except en-suite across landing, although adds to the charm)