A Magical Christmas Repast at Longleat

Christmas, for me, is inseparable from the idea of home. It is a season where memory, tradition, and togetherness converge, and where food becomes a quiet but powerful storyteller. This year, we were honoured to return to Longleat at the kind invitation of our friend Emma Thynn, to curate a festive Christmas repast for friends and family, an experience deeply aligned with my Remember Home by Amai’kiye ethos.

Amai’kiye, meaning “remember home,” is more than a name; it is a philosophy. It speaks to warmth, belonging, and the emotional resonance of a shared table. Bringing this spirit into a house as storied and atmospheric as Longleat felt especially fitting. At Christmas, the home becomes a sanctuary, and the meal becomes a moment of grounding; a return to what truly matters with friends and family alike. 

The menu honoured classic Christmas comfort while carrying my signature sense of care and intention. Crisp, fluffy roast potatoes and sweet, slow-roasted parsnips scented with festive spices set the tone. The centrepiece was a slow-cooked Oakham roast chicken, generous and succulent, served with a deeply flavoured, decadent jus, food designed to nourish both body and spirit. Not forgetting our delicious decadent winter truffle mac n cheese. 

Dessert brought indulgence and nostalgia in equal measure: my interpretation of sticky toffee pudding paired with a cognac caramel sauce, alongside rich chocolate rum pots, encouraging guests to linger, converse, and savour.

This Christmas lunch formed part of a beautifully curated, joy-filled weekend created by Emma, an experience rooted in laughter, connection, and celebration. To witness guests relax into the space, sharing stories and breaking bread together, was a living expression of Remember Home: food as comfort, food as memory, food as connection.

As the festive season draws to a close, we carry forward deep gratitude for moments like these, where a repast becomes a shared ritual, and a table becomes a place of belonging. We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas, and we look ahead with optimism to a prosperous, healthy New Year ahead, guided always by the spirit of remembering home.

-Amai’Kiye

Behind the Scenes at Longleat