Stylish boutique B&B to open in Southampton

Opening  in October 2012 within Southampton's historic medieval walls by the docks, The Pig in the Wall will be rooms and breakfast with a difference!

Designed by Judy Hutson, the 12 bedrooms will have the same shabby chic style as The Pig in the Forest, with assorted furnishings, great beds, oversized showers, 'larders' stocked with snacks, drinks and nespresso machines. A touch of luxury combined with a homely charm.

This little piglet will also house a lounge with comfy sofas-serving Pig charcuterie boards and salads, and great wines by the glass!
It's also a place where you can pop in for a coffee and a pastry, or even take it away!

No restaurant here (due to space) but for dinner or lunch The Pig in the Forest is only 20 minutes away and complimentary transfers and table reservations can be made for guests.

Room rates start at £115.

For bookings or further information please contact reservations@thepiginthewall.com or call 08450 779 494.

The Masterpiece Midsummer Party in aid of CLIC Sargent

Last night saw Lady Helen Taylor and her esteemed committee host this year's prestigious Masterpiece Midsummer Party in aid of CLIC Sargent at Masterpiece London.

The party welcomed an array of glamorous guests, royalty, celebrity and social faces as well as global antique, art and design enthusiasts.

Guests roamed the magnificent halls of the event surrounded by the most exquisite art and antiques from around the world whilst sipping Ruinart Champagne, a selection of cocktails and feasting on a host of sumptuous canapes prepared by Urban Caprice.

Committee members greeted friends and peers alike, with Lisa and Anton Bilton catching up with Kim Hersov and the Hermers, many lamenting the miserable summer weather but planning their getaway trips to Ibiza whilst swooning over the Riva yacht display - perhaps a masterpiece purchase for the summer?

Fashionistas Olivia Inge and Lady Gabriella Windsor were both seen following in the footsteps of the Duchess of Cambridge by supporting the label of the moment, BEULAH, created by their chum Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs. Scarlet red seemed to be the colour of the night to beat the summertime blues away appearing on many a guest with both Inge and Meredith Ostrom leading the pack.

Delighted by the made to order canapes prepared with a touch of theatre, Donna Air and her dashing gentleman friend fixed themselves by the smoked salmon blini station, with Sophie and Freddie Windosr divulging in the food of love and shucking oysters at Scott's Champagne and Seafood Bar whilst shimmying to the walking band "The Phly Boyz."

Lady Helen Taylor gave a wonderful speech, as head patron, celebrating CLIC Sargent amnd the ground-breaking work it does, followed by a talk from boxing legend Barry McGuigan who spoke about his own daughter's battle with Leukaemia and how the charity's tremendous work helped his family through such a difficult time.

An exciting live auction, hosted by the charismatic Harry Delmaney from Sotheby's included exclusive items such as a behind the scenes at The Oscars experience, a Burberry bespoke coat and VIP shopping experience, a stay at the Cuixmala the Goldsmith's estate in Mexico and a stunning Kate Moss print by Mario Testino. The live auction raised just under £50,000 helping the lives of hundereds of children throughout the UK.

Overall the evening saw a staggering amount raised for CLIC Sargent - the UK's leading cancer charity for children and young people, providing emotions, practical, and financial support to young cancer patients and their families.

WHO:  Some of the VIP attendees included: Lady Helen Taylor, Timothy Taylor, Lord Frederick Windsor, Sophie Winkleman, Lady Gabriella Windsor, Tamara Beckwith, Tim & Malin Jefferies, India Hicks, Carla & Arnaud Bamberger, Julien Macdonald, Donna Air, Amanda Ferry, Lisa & Anton Bilton, Olivia Inge, Henry Wyndham, Amber Aikens, David Collins, Barry McGuigan, Alan Hansen, Meredith Ostrom, Kim Hersov, Stephen & Assia Webster, Tania Bryer, Scott Young, Geordie Greig, Matt & Marissa Hermer, Thei & Louise Fennell & Noelle Reno.

What they ate:

From The Mount Street Deli: Gressingham duck and scotched quail's egg with caper and herb mayonnaise, and Wensleydale, girolle and leek tartlets filled with wild mushrooms, young leeks and yorkshire cheese.

From Scott's:  Carlingford rock oysters with shallot relish, lemon and Tabasco, and Brown and Forrest smoked salmon, thinly sliced, on a toasted black rye bread with horseradish.

From Harry's Bar: Harry's Bar pizzetti with tomato and basil. Prosciutto sliced and served on wooden boards, and Parmesan Wheel.

From Le Caprice: Le Caprice Burger with cornichons, red onion and club sauce.

What they drank:

Ruinart Champagne, Urban Caprice Caipiroskas, Urban Caprice gin and tonics, a selection of vodka cocktails, and Elderflower and mint spritzer.

The even took place on Tuesday 3rd July from 7:00 until 10:00pm.

The event location was at Masterpiece London, South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Chelsea Embankment, London, SW3.

For more information, please visit http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/Home

Raymond Blanc, OBE carries The Olympic Flame

The London Olympics is literally just around the corner, and the Olympic Flame is still burning strong.

On the 10th July at 10:30 am, Raymond Blanc, OBE carried the Olympic Flame through Wallingford, Oxford.

Monsieur Blanc is one of the country's most respected chef's. He is entirely self-taught and took inspiration from his mothers cooking. He started out as a waiter and came to Britain with virtually nothing.

In 1977 he and his wife put together their meagre savings and mortgaged their house to buy their first restaurant in Oxford, which won the Egon Ronay Restaurant of the Year award and Michelin stars.

His hotel and restaurant in Great Milton, Oxfordshire, Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, is the only country house in the UK to have achieved two Michelin stars for a total of 28 years. Raymond has championed and nurtured some of our most famous chefs personally in his kitchens and was voted the AA's Chefs Chef of the year by his peers in 2005.

In 2007 he was awared the OBE for services in promoting culinary excellence and for raising awareness of the importance of healthy food as a central element of family life.

Raymond Blanc commented: "This is a huge honour for me and I'm thrilled to be part of this historic time - which shows Great Britain at its very best."

For further information about Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, please visit http://www.manoir.com/