April 2026 ∙ The Feathered Nest in Nether Westcote introduces a fresh highlight in its culinary calendar, launching its first chef collaboration of the year with a special one-night-only dining experience. Taking place on Tuesday 14 April at 7pm, the evening brings together two exceptional chefs for a truly memorable occasion.

Head Chef James will be joined in the kitchen by Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens of Muse in London, a restaurant celebrated for its elegant, contemporary approach to modern cuisine.

A meeting of creativity and skill
For this exclusive event, the two chefs will work side by side to create a menu that reflects their shared commitment to quality ingredients, creativity and refined technique. The result is set to be a carefully composed dining experience, where two individual styles come together seamlessly on one menu.

Guests can look forward to dishes that balance innovation with precision, offering a rare opportunity to experience the work of both chefs in an intimate and thoughtfully curated setting.

A seasonal, ingredient-led menu
The evening begins with a selection of bread and snacks, including roosterkoek with chicken and cèpe butter, celeriac chawanmushi with pine and Oscietra caviar, and chicken liver parfait paired with a hazelnut hobnob. The menu then moves through a series of seasonal dishes, from ricotta with blood orange and bitter leaves to a Cornish crab muffin with Cape Malay butter, fermented fennel and sea herbs.

Further courses celebrate the best of the season, including white asparagus with morel and horseradish, followed by monkfish with elderflower and lemon. A standout main features Welsh hogget served as roast loin, crisp belly and glazed faggot with wild garlic, artichokes and sunflower seeds. To finish, a Westcote honey tart is served with chamomile and crème fraîche.

∙ READ MORE OR BOOK YOUR TABLE HERE ∙

Something new is stirring beneath the arches in Leamington Spa, as Warwickshire Gin Company introduces an exciting after-hours experience designed to bring guests closer to the craft of distilling.

Launching this season, Alchemy After Hours invites visitors to step behind the scenes for a relaxed and immersive 90-minute session where creativity takes centre stage. More than a tasting, it is an opportunity to help shape what comes next.

Hosted by founder and distiller Dave Blick, the evening begins with a welcome drink before guests are guided through a curated selection of experimental gins, alongside the distillery’s distinctive honey rum. Each spirit has its own story, inspiration and flavour profile, offering a deeper insight into the thinking behind the brand.

What makes this experience particularly unique is its interactive element. Guests are invited to explore a further selection of experimental flavours, from inventive combinations such as rhubarb, mint and blackcurrant to more unexpected profiles like green valley tea. These small-batch creations exist only within the distillery, and feedback from the evening will help influence which flavours could one day make it into full production.

It is a concept that reflects the spirit of Warwickshire Gin Company itself. Each of its existing gins is rooted in local history, from Leamington on Parade, inspired by a 19th-century circus elephant trainer, to The Kingmaker, Peeping Tom, Pelota Dry Gin and The Philosopher’s Daughter, all drawing on stories that have shaped the region.

Alongside Alchemy After Hours, the distillery continues to offer a range of well-loved experiences, including guided gin tastings, cocktail sessions and its popular Afternoon Gin & Tea, as well as curated gift bundles for those looking to take a piece of the experience home.

With over 170 five-star reviews and recognition among the top-rated attractions globally, Warwickshire Gin Company has firmly established itself as one of the region’s standout craft distilleries.

For those looking for something a little different, Alchemy After Hours offers a rare chance to not only taste something new, but to be part of its story.

∙ BOOK ALCHEMY AFTER HOURS HERE ∙

There is something quietly special about a product that captures not just flavour, but a sense of place. Spirit of Ilmington Apple Brandy does exactly that, and it is now gaining the recognition it so clearly deserves.

Gold for the Apple Brandy

In the prestigious Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards 2026, the brandy has been awarded Gold, an accolade that places it firmly among the very best artisan food and drink products in the UK. With a record number of entries judged by a panel of industry experts, competition was exceptionally strong this year, making the achievement all the more meaningful. To be singled out at this level is a clear sign that something truly distinctive is being created.

Silver in London

That success is echoed on the international stage too. At the London Spirits Competition, Spirit of Ilmington Apple Brandy was awarded an impressive 94 points, securing a Silver Medal and falling just one point short of Gold. Judged on taste, appearance and value for money, the scoring reflects a beautifully balanced spirit that delivers on every level.

Crisp apple and green grape

The tasting notes paint a vivid picture. Crisp apple and green grape notes lead on the nose, followed by a palate that is clean and gently sweet, with hints of pear and melon. The finish is fresh and bright, leaving a soft, lingering fruit character that invites another sip. It is a profile that feels both refined and deeply rooted in the orchard.

Soft and mellow

Even Fortnum & Mason has praised the spirit, describing it as “a soft, mellow brandy with a surprisingly fresh cider nose, warming and refreshing on the palate with a lingering aftertaste of apple.” High praise from one of the country’s most respected names in fine food and drink.

The connection to the land

What makes this brandy particularly special is its connection to the land. Crafted using locally grown apples, it reflects the richness of the surrounding countryside and the care taken at every stage, from fruit to bottle. It is a reminder that some of the most exciting drinks being produced today are not mass-made, but thoughtfully created in small batches with real provenance.

The flavours of the Cotswolds

Spirit of Ilmington Apple Brandy stands as a perfect example of what the region does so well. Honest ingredients, skilled craftsmanship, and a genuine sense of place. For those looking to explore the flavours of the Cotswolds in a glass, this is one to seek out.

∙ SHOP FOR SPIRIT OF ILMINGTON HERE ∙