The exclusive hotel located in a restored 12th-century abbey surrounded by vineyards in Spain’s Duero wine-growing region – and Chef Marc Segarra have been recognised for their culinary excellence with one Michelin Star.

Refectorio received its first Michelin Star in 2014, achieved just two years after the hotel opened. Thanks to the extraordinary vision of Chef Segarra and his skilled culinary team, the restaurant maintained its one Michelin Star rating in 2015, 2016 and now again in 2017.

Refectorio restaurant at Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine – the exclusive hotel located in a restored 12th-century abbey surrounded by vineyards in Spain’s Duero wine-growing region – and Chef Marc Segarra have been recognised for their culinary excellence with one Michelin Star.

Refectorio received its first Michelin Star in 2014, achieved just two years after the hotel opened. Thanks to the extraordinary vision of Chef Segarra and his skilled culinary team, the restaurant maintained its one Michelin Star rating in 2015, 2016 and now again in 2017.

"We are extremely proud to be consistently recognised by Michelin as being among the best restaurants in Spain and the world,” said Enrique Valero, Managing Director of Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine. “It is the passion, effort and enthusiasm of the Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine team that brought us the prestigious One Michelin Star ranking. Day after day, we strive to exceed the expectations of our guests and make their stay unforgettable."

The gastronomic focus of Refectorio has been based, from the beginning, on innovative contemporary cuisine prepared with the highest-quality, locally sourced ingredients – ensuring that the hotel contributes to the development of the sustainable local economy. The region boasts a great culinary richness with a wide array of fine food products. Refectoria offers two tasting menus for dinner, which vary throughout the year based on the available seasonal products.

"From the first day, I was challenged to do something extraordinary in the kitchen in keeping with the 900-year-old heritage of our world-class hotel,” said Chef Segarra. “Through maximum commitment and a focus on creativity and detail, our goal was to surprise guests with each bite of each dish, which would be paired with the exquisite wines of our own winery. It was the perfect recipe to bring our guests an unprecedented culinary experience.”

For more information visit >>> www.ledomaine.es

Tags: food, What's On, Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine

22 November 2017 - 4 March 2018 Munich, Germany

We are off to a great start with this article in the BILD newspaper

MUCA believes that art has the potential to change the perception on the world. This philosophy runs through our project, where we try to change the world's perception on and celebrate indigenous cultures through Jimmy's photography, films and storytelling. This is an unique opportunity to see Jimmy's work exhibited in a museum setting. See here >>> LINK

For more information about planned, current and past exhibtions visit >>> www.jimmynelson.com

Tags: What's On, Photography, Jimmy Nelson, MUCA

ALICE IN WINTERLAND Q&A WITH SUSANNAH VAN DEN BERG ‘QUEEN OF HEARTS’

What made you keen to join the cast of Alice in Winterland?
I’ve seen a few Christmas productions at The Rose, as well as being involved in several community scratch choirs. I have always been impressed with the production values and the commitment and energy of the youth theatre. I was also excited about tackling a brand new script and original score, being involved in creating something new and fresh.

What is Alice in Winterland about?
The setting of the original books has been changed to during the First World War. Using elements and characters from the two books it’s essentially a coming of age story for Alice. Through her adventures in Wonderland she gains the strength and courage to deal with the trauma and responsibilities of reality.

Tell us a bit about your character. What are you most enjoying about playing The Queen of Hearts?
The Queen of Hearts is a delicious megalomaniac, rather like a modern day dictator. I’m finding her such fun to play because she has no limits. I have the ability to be as silly or outrageous as I like because my court allows me to get away with anything. Like anyone in great power, the chance of being overthrown is always present so I’ve chosen to rule by fear.

What particular challenges does this role present to you as an actor?
Vocally it’s a big role - lots of shouting “Off With Their Heads” - so sustaining that will be a big task. Delivering a pretty spectacular battle scene whilst wearing a massive dress is also going to be challenging!

Alice in Winterland, is based on Lewis Carroll’s timeless books, Alice Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Why do you think these characters have such an enduring appeal?
They’re magnifications of human nature - all elements we recognise in ourselves taken to huge proportions. They’re all things we could become.

The production sees a professional cast and a youth company perform together. What has it been like working alongside Rose Youth Company?
Really fantastic. They have such great energy and focus that could shame some other professional companies! Working with two separate casts is a joy as a performer as you get different performances to play off, meaning no show will be the same. The company really works as a true ensemble, they are generous to each other and there are no small parts. Slotting into a company like this is incredibly exciting.

Why do you think people should come and see Alice in Winterland?
The story is incredible and the families who come to see it will go on a real journey with Alice. There’s puppets, magic, monsters, a new script with an electrifying original score, some terrible jokes, beautiful costumes & scenery and snow... there’s definitely snow. Entertaining yet life affirming.

Alice In Winterland will be at Rose Theatre Kingston from Thu 7 Dec – Sun 7 Jan. Tickets cost from £15 and are available online, rosetheatrekingston.org, by phone, 020 8174 0090, or from the Box Office

Tags: Theatre, The Rose, Kingston

BOOKHAM CHARITY WINS £97k HERITAGE LOTTERY FUNDING TO OPEN UP “ROYAL” COLLECTION OF NEEDLEWORK TO THE PUBLIC

The Grange charity for people with learning disabilities in Bookham has won funding worth £97,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to create a heritage room telling the story of its beginnings as ‘The School of Stitchery and Lace’ founded in 1938.

The project will preserve the charity’s historic collection of needlework, which has royal connections, and create a new interactive learning and heritage space open to all visitors.

The collection includes embroidered items and there are numerous letters between The School and the royal household - from Queen Elizabeth’s nurse ordering a copy of a dress to hand-drawn designs for Queen Mary’s nightgowns.

People with disabilities at The Grange will be involved in the set up and running of the project which will build stronger links between the charity and the local community and will become part of the Bookham Heritage Trail.

Gill Caldwell, from The Grange said: “We are delighted to have won this Heritage Lottery funding and very grateful to lottery players. It will allow us to preserve our historic needlework collection for future generations and couldn’t come at a better time as we celebrate our 80th anniversary in 2018. We would love to hear from anyone with memories of The School of Stitchery and Lace and hope people will contact us.

“The grant will enable us to digitise photographs and letters and make flip books that visitors can handle and read at their leisure. There will be headsets for listing to oral histories as well as interactive games. Once set up, the Heritage room will host learning events and community activities. We particularly want to welcome school groups.”

“When The School - now The Grange - opened in our Victorian mansion in Bookham in 1938, its founder, Miss Julia Sweet, became a pioneer in training women with disabilities in skills that would give them an income and independence. We carry on that tradition today.”

The Grange is the only adult care provider in Surrey able to offer accommodation, care and a wide range of skills training all on one site. With a focus on teaching practical and creative arts including needlework, people can develop life and work skills in the charity’s shops, cafes and mini businesses as well as take part in sessions in horticulture, catering, communications, IT, woodwork and creative arts.

Below: Zena, a tenant of The Grange, with a nightdress case made for Queen Mary

The Grange works with people with disabilities, helping them to lead independent and fulfilling lives by offering residential care and supported living. For more information about its work, please visit our website at: www.grangecentre.org.uk

Tags: Lottery, The grange, Funding

London Tours

Trained pastry chef Lynne Staartjes introduces her company, Sweet Tooth Tours Limited. The company launched in July 2017

Tourists and Londoners alike are able to discover London’s best independent bakeries, gelaterias, cheesemongers, chocolate shops and more on the tours. Each tour has up to 6 guests, lasts approximately 2 ½ hours and includes tasting portions at several stops. Guests are accompanied around Belgravia on foot to discover its edible hidden gems. In addition to learning about the desserts tasted, the shops and their owners, the tour also incorporates the history and stories of the local area. There are exclusive opportunities to peek into the onsite kitchens and chat with many of the shop owners.

Guests can choose the signature Belgravia tour, a gluten-free version or the “Sugar and Spice” tour which also incorporates savory stops. A Soho version of the tour will be launching soon. For the ultimate tour of London’s sweet spots, Sweet Tooth Tours has partnered with Rolls-Royce to offer an exclusive version of the tour by chauffer driven Rolls-Royce. The tours are perfect gifts and can also be arranged for children’s birthday parties, baby showers, or hen dos. Additionally, courses such as bread or scone making and cake decorating can be added to enhance the experience. Bespoke tours can be tailored to visit sweet spots around London or as far afield as Amsterdam, Paris or New York. Sweet Tooth Tours has been featured in Town & Country, The Observer and British Airways High Life amongst other publications.

Prices start at £48 per person please visit www.sweettoothtours.com for more information.

Tags: What's On, food, sweet tooth tours, Lynne Staartjes, bakeries, gelaterias, Belgravia, cheesemongers, chocolate shops

A solo show by artist David Walker

Lawrence Alkin Gallery: 17 November – 9 December 2017
Press and Private View: Thursday 16 November 6-8pm

In November, Berlin-based street artist David Walker will unveil a brand new body of work at London’s Lawrence Alkin Gallery.

Featuring several ‘firsts’ for the artist predominately known for his large-scale female portraits, Half A World Passed Me By includes works of both female and male sitters.

The show sees the introduction of brushes, acrylics and new techniques for Walker, whose previous works were made exclusively freehand with spray paint. On his new approach, Walker commented: “Although the spray paint medium is still present in this new body of work, I feel using new approaches and materials has allowed me a fresh dexterity and an opportunity to mature as a painter.”

Half A World Passed Me By also includes figurative works, studies and sketches, and Walker will introduce a series of text-based paintings featuring his own writing.

Collaborating with Berlin based multidisciplinary artist Yuli Gates on a number of pieces within the show, David has also used Yuli as a model for some paintings. Together Walker and Gates have created works that juxtapose form and flora, fusing painting with hand embroidery techniques.

There will also be separate collaborations with German graffiti artists turned contemporary painters, Base 23 and Mina.

The show title ‘Half A World Passed Me By’ contains various personal references, in keeping with this new body of work. WaIker explains: “I have been completely blind in my right eye since birth. It’s not common knowledge as I didn’t want it to be used it as a USP for my work. I also turned 40 last year, coinciding with one of the most difficult periods in my life for many reasons. In the aftermath I feel far more fearless as a person and artist and far more comfortable to invite people further into my world.

“Nowadays I’m more interested in making my work more intimate, I endeavour to create things that are an extension of my life and experience, the people around me and my reality.”

Half A World Passed Me By is made up of around 25 works, featuring male and female portraits, figurate paintings, form and flora and poetic texts. The pieces range from 25cm x 25cm up to 160cm x 220cm and have been created using a mix of spray paint, acrylic, ink and embroidery. The show is split over two levels at Lawrence Alkin Gallery, the top floor focusing on portrait and figurative work and the downstairs showcasing new text based work, portrait studies and collaborations.

Walker’s last London show was in November 2014 at the Hoxton Arches in conjunction with Lawrence Alkin Gallery and was a sell-out show. Since then, Walker has been busy painting large-scale murals on streets in France, Denmark, Belgium and New York. He also recently created pieces for the Street Art Museum in Amsterdam and the just-opened Urban Nation Museum for urban contemporary art in Berlin.

Born in London, Walker is now based in Berlin and has a studio in a former primary school in Kreuzberg, one of the few buildings in the area to survive the war. Walker comments on his now-home: “Berlin is full of life and inspiration, there is enough here to feed you forever.”

Half A World Passed Me By will be on display from Friday 17 November – Saturday 9 December at Lawrence Alkin Gallery, 42 New Compton Street London WC2H 8DA www.lawrencealkingallery.com @lagalleryart

Tags: Art, David Walker , Half A World Passed Me By, Lawrence Alkin Gallery

A romantic trail of candles along the path round the Silent Pool has traditionally lit the way to the artisan distillery in Albury for its popular evening events.

Now Silent Pool Distillery has created its own luxury range of botanical-infused candles echoing the essence of its spirits in a new collaboration with an artisan candle maker and Feather Edge, supplier of handcrafted and designed tableware and home accessories.

Feather Edge founder Amber Craven approached Silent Pool director Ian McCulloch about the possibility of creating the Gin Botanicals Collection to complement her original Earl Grey Tea candles. They chose three fragrances- Kaffir Lime, Bergamot Orange and Christmas Spirit, blends inspired by the romantic botanicals that give Silent Pool Gin its distinctive and exceptional character.

The candles are hand poured for Feather Edge by artisan candlemaker Bird Box in England using only natural, sustainable ingredients without any petrochemicals or mineral wax and possess the added therapeutic qualities of pure essential oils.

Amber Craven explains ‘As committed artisan distillers, Silent Pool actively encourage collaborations with like-minded local companies and their intricate, multi-layered gin lends itself perfectly to the world of luxury home fragrance.’

Ian McCulloch, Founding Partner of award winning Silent Pool Distillers comments, ‘It was important for us to use sustainable soy wax and pure essential oils that capture the bright aromatics, delicate florals, rich citrus and ethereal high notes of Silent Pool Gin. The result is three delicious fragrances everyone will love.’

The candles are available to buy from Silent Pool’s new on-site retail shop in Albury, from the Feather Edge Collection at Charter Walk Kitchen Living, Charter Walk, Haslemere and online at featheredge.com.

Tags: Silent Pool, Candles, botanical-infused

This Christmas, leading British watch and accessories brand Abbott Lyon (www.abbottlyon.com) will be teaming up with Dogs Trust on a special project which will see 10% of sales of selected products donated to the UK’s largest dog welfare charity.

Abbott Lyon now place a paw print icon on specifically chosen Abbott Lyon products across the site including both watches and jewellery. Hero products included are as follows:

• T-Bar Bangle Silver (£29)
• Cuff Bangle Gold (£29)
• Ball Bangle Silver / Rose (£49)
• Gold Chain Kensington 40 (Gold / White) (£99)
• Mist Grey Suede Kensington 40 (Rose Gold) (£69)
• Silver Chain Minimale 38 (Silver / White) (£89)

Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity with a network of 21 Rehoming Centres across the UK and Ireland. Caring for 15,000 dogs of all shapes, sizes, ages and breeds, and will never put a health dog to sleep. To find out more or to find your local rehoming centre visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.

The Abbott Lyon x Dogs Trust edit is available at www.abbottlyon.com, with 10% of the sale price of each product sold donated to Dogs Trust (Registered Charity Numbers 227523 & SC037843).

Tags: Dogs Trust, Abbott Lyon

'Platinum selling music icon Ronan Keating leads a star-studded line-up - for one sensational night only - of songs, laughter and variety, at the Phoenix Theatre on 19 November at 7:30pm, for the Mane Chance West End Charity Gala Spectacular.

Ronan is joined by triple-reality TV singing sensation Joe McElderry, pop star Amelia Lily, ventriloquist America’s Got Talent winner Paul Zerdin, chart-topping singer-songwriter Sandi Thom and superstar soprano Margaret Keys. With Jake Quickenden, Marti Webb, Patti Boulaye, Beau Dermott, Joe McGann, Virginia McKenna, Jenny Seagrove and a host of other favourites from the world of music, theatre, TV and entertainment. Supported by a live on-stage band. With all profits to Mane Chance charity.
Tickets are available from www.atgticekts.com/phoenix '

Tags: What's On, Mane Chance, Gala

At ‘The ART OF OPPORTUNITY Affordable Art Sale’ on Friday 24th November 2017

To coincide with ‘Black Friday’, a shopping tradition which started in the USA the day after Thanksgiving, and is so-called after the custom of businesses recording their losses in red ink but their gains in black, The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is holding an ‘Art of Opportunity: Affordable Art Sale’ both on-line and in their newly re-furbished gallery below their offices at Saba House, 7 Kings Road, Shalford, nr Guildford, Surrey.

The ‘Art of Opportunity Affordable Art Sale’ which will run on towards Christmas, will not only give supporters the chance to buy a selection of stunning prints at reduced prices from the charity’s on-line catalogue, but in addition a selection of eclectic art donated by artists and trustees from their own private art collections. In addition to more well-known wildlife artists there are items from esteemed painters William Russell Flint to Terence Cuneo. Proceeds from the sale will go to the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, enabling funding of not only black rhino but a host of other species conservation projects across Africa and Asia which they fund in order protect some of the world’s most endangered animals.

Karen Botha, CEO DSWF said “This really is a wonderful opportunity to buy a wide variety of art to suit varied styles and tastes – not only for yourself but as early Christmas gifts for your friends and family.”

All proceeds after costs from the sale of each original piece will go directly to support the work of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation funding vital conservation initiatives across Africa and Asia.

Tags: Art, David Shepherd, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation