It’s all going on at Cringletie House in the Borders.
Not only have they asked renowned chef Willie Pike to help develop their menus but they have also teamed up with Velvet Hall Alpacas to offer Boxing Day alpaca treks – a welcome, if unconventional, alternative to turkey leftovers and a re-run of The Sound of Music.
A previous competitor in the Culinary Olympics in Berlin, Willie Pike has served up his stunning creations to lovers of good food across the world – including royalty.
Awarded an MBE by Her Maj in 2008, Willie has also appeared many times on TV and was a judge on ITV’s School for Cooks program. Last year, he was recognised with the Craft Guild of Chefs People’s award.
Local sourcing
Now he is helping the Cringletie House team and promises that ‘We’re trying to do lots of different things. We want to give the local people good value for money with food they will want to eat. We concentrate on locally available, quality ingredients to produce well presented dishes where taste and flavour are paramount’.
A three course dinner menu in The Cringletie dining room is £29.95 and you can book via 5pm.
Walk with alpacas
Now, back to the alpacas. Cringletie House have teamed up with Velvet Hall Alpacas to offer a unique festive activity: a relaxing Boxing Day brunch and Alpaca trek.
Visitors are invited to recuperate from the excesses of Christmas day with a trek around the Cringletie estate in the company of cute alpacas.
Before or after the walk visitors can enjoy a brunch at Cringletie in the restaurant overlooking the grounds.
