Walpole's Kitchen

18/02/2024

🍴Supper Clubs at Mannington are back for 2024!🍴

We’re kicking off 2024 with the first Mannington Supper Club on Friday 1st March, with our St. David’s Day menu.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 This will be a Welsh inspired menu, using locally sourced ingredients.

🎟️ Tickets are £85 per person, and include a 5 course menu with drinks to accompany each course.

🍸Drinks and canapés will be served from 7pm, and we will sit down for dinner at 7.30pm.

🎉 This is a social occasion! Dinner will be served on one long table, so you can either come by yourself, with a friend or bring a party!

🚨SPACES ARE LIMITED! Booking is essential. 🚨

Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements when you book.

When: Friday March 1st @ 7pm
Where: Mannington Tearooms, NR11 7BB.
Price: £85 per person.

NB - Walpole’s Kitchen wedding couples for 2024 and 2025 and current Mannington Hall Season Ticket Holders receive at discount! Please ask.

🫶🏻Please share this post to anyone you know you might be interested!

10/02/2024

It has been a while since I posted a ‘Saturday Small Business Shout Out’ but I have been chatting to (and working with) lots of small business owners recently, and would love to give them some recognition and support!

1) First up is Luella Grey London - This is a British-born handbag and accessory brand, which is the creation of the fabulous design duo, Rachel and Sarah.

“Our philosophy is simple, to bring women like you, and us, stylish, luxurious handbags and accessories that are as desirable as they are practical. Offering a choice of bags for all occasions, whether it’s a day-to-evening handbag, a wedding clutch or simply a practical work tote, we believe we’ve thought of everything!”
�Follow them and check out their beautiful bags online, or look for a stockist near you!

2) Next is the brilliant garden designer, Sam Outing ()

“Sam is known for his environmentally sensitive, stylish, and harmonious design approach. Whether serene and calming, energising and vibrant, or anything in between, Sam crafts gardens that become cherished and inviting spaces. He delivers stylish, harmonious, and ecologically sound gardens that stand as positive investments for the future.” If your garden needs some love and attention or you need some inspiration for your outside space, why not get in touch with Sam?

3) People often ask me for recommendations for a wedding or birthday cake and I always give the same answer... Victoria Jane Bakes. Tori’s cakes not only look amazing but taste delicious too and come in a fabulous range of flavours.

This includes tasty vegan and gluten free cakes too! If you need a cake for your wedding or event, speak to .

And last but by no means least is Wood ‘n’ Tonic ()

Gareth’s stunning rustic, wooden light-up letters are available to hire for weddings, hen parties and events. Handmade in North Norfolk, bespoke pieces are available too!

Please follow them all and feel free to share the love and add your ‘Small Business Shout Outs’ in the comments!

23/12/2023

OMG… What a year 2023 has been!

I can’t believe how quickly it has flown by and that Christmas is upon us already.

Time really does fly when you’re having fun! And I’ve had fun by the bucketload. From meeting lots of wonderful people to learning new skills and pushing myself (and the business) forward.

There are too many people to thank but an ENORMOUS Thank You to all of you have supported Walpole’s Kitchen this year. From kind and generous clients, to the amazing staff who’ve helped me - Your support means the world and I couldn’t do it without you!

Thanks to my family and friends - Your advice and encouragement spurs me on, on a daily basis.

Finally, massive thanks to the “Norfolk Cooking Crew” - Some of the hardest working chefs I know, who still find time to help eachother out at events, offer inspiration, be a soundboard, have a catch up over a coffee (or gin) and all with a healthy measure of great humour and inappropriate WhatsApps…

Wishing you all a very happy and relaxing Christmas. I’m already looking forward to working with you in 2024. Xx

🎄 🔪 #2023

11/12/2023

This competition is NOW CLOSED.

Please follow to learn more!

✨Grace’s Tropic 12 Days of Christmas✨

🎄I have a very exciting COMPETITION running from now until the 12th of December, so if you’d like to be part of my 12 Days of Christmas, please get in touch!

🐕Not only will you win a fabulous beauty prize for the value of £20 or more, but also you will be donating to a local charity, as I will be giving ALL of my commission to ‘The Long and Short of It’ dog rescue. (As well when you buy from Tropic 10% of the profit goes to charity anyway…)

🌟Here’s how it works:

1. You buy a ticket from me for £20. (I’ll send you a payment link)
2. Pick a number between 1-12.
You are then entered into the 12 Days of Christmas Draw.
3. Each day from the 12th of December until Christmas Eve, I will open a door on the advent calendar to reveal a prize!
4. You will win a gorgeous Tropic prize to the value of £20 or more.
5. I donate to The Long and Short of It dog rescue ( ) and you enjoy your beauty treatment!

So, EVERYONE’S A WINNER! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

You can keep the prize for yourself, use it as your Secret Santa present at work, or give it to a lucky friend or family member as a Christmas gift!

🎁 Get in touch asap and pick your number!

Tropic is:
🐰Cruelty Free
🌱 Vegan
🇬🇧 Made in the UK
🌿 100% Natural or Nature-Identical
💚 Sustainably Sourced
☁️ Carbon Negative

06/12/2023

✨Grace’s Tropic 12 Days of Christmas✨

🎄I have a very exciting COMPETITION running from now until the 12th of December, so if you’d like to be part of my 12 Days of Christmas, please get in touch!

🐕Not only will you win a fabulous beauty prize for the value of £20 or more, but also you will be donating to a local charity, as I will be giving ALL of my commission to ‘The Long and Short of It’ dog rescue. (As well when you buy from Tropic 10% of the profit goes to charity anyway…)

🌟Here’s how it works:

1. You buy a ticket from me for £20. (I’ll send you a payment link)
2. Pick a number between 1-12.
You are then entered into the 12 Days of Christmas Draw.
3. Each day from the 12th of December until Christmas Eve, I will open a door on the advent calendar to reveal a prize!
4. You will win a gorgeous Tropic prize to the value of £20 or more.
5. I donate to The Long and Short of It dog rescue ( ) and you enjoy your beauty treatment!

So, EVERYONE’S A WINNER! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

You can keep the prize for yourself, use it as your Secret Santa present at work, or give it to a lucky friend or family member as a Christmas gift!

🎁 Get in touch asap and pick your number!

Tropic is:
🐰Cruelty Free
🌱 Vegan
🇬🇧 Made in the UK
🌿 100% Natural or Nature-Identical
💚 Sustainably Sourced
☁️ Carbon Negative

25/11/2023

An ENORMOUS Thank You to all of our fabulous guests, who braved the howling winds to attend our Turkish Supper Club last night at Mannington Hall. ()

We all had a blast creating this event and challenging ourselves to do something a little different.

Thank you for bringing your Turkish vibes plus your humour and fun to the table.🇹🇷

Thank You to Laura from for matching the wines so perfectly with each dish and for your continued love and support. 🙌🏻

Thank you Amanda and Diane for taking such great care of our guests and making everyone feel so relaxed and welcome. 🙏

Thank you Indra from for the beautiful table decorations, floral displays and lights that adorned the room. 🎄

Thank you for the delicious beef and pigeon and to for all the vegetables.

Thank you for the stunning plates, glasses, cutlery and linen, which set the scene beautifully. 🍽️

And finally, thank you Mum for your trust and support, allowing us to fly with our (sometimes bonkers!) ideas and let our creativity flow. 👩🏼‍🍳

I’m feeling very blessed today 😇

If you’d like to be on the Mailing List to hear about our next Supper Club (coming soon!) please send me your details. 📧

22/11/2023

We still have a few tickets left for our Turkish Supper Club THIS FRIDAY!

It will be a fun evening of delicious, authentic Turkish food, paired with fabulous wine from .

If you don’t have a ticket, get in touch asap!

(We can accommodate dietary requirements, so please speak to us)

We can’t wait to welcome you on Friday!

14/11/2023

We all need a bit of sunshine today, so here are some photos of a gorgeous, intimate wedding that we did at Mannington Hall in August this year.

Guests enjoyed canapés in the sunshine, on the lawn in front of the house, whilst listening to a String Quartet. This was followed by a 3 course meal including Cromer crab followed by chicken and lamb, all eaten in the open air.

It was only after dessert was served that the rain came, but this certainly didn’t dampen the guest’s spirits. The adults enjoyed cocktails inside, whilst the children ran in the rain between the trees, and the bride and groom had some fabulous photos including stunning rainbows.

If you are getting married in 2024 or 2025 and are looking for a caterer, please get in touch, I’d love to chat about your big day.

We pride ourselves in creating bespoke menus to suit YOU and your budget and we use local and seasonal ingredients wherever we can, in order to get the best out of your menu.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

The Walpole’s Kitchen Team x

Photo Credit: 📸 John Miller
String Quarter: 🎻
Venue: 🏰

,

01/11/2023

💚 Tropic Skincare 💚

A shameless plug for my latest business venture. 😉

This is a brand that I can truly get behind as I believe in their core values as well as their products.

I have finally found a skincare brand that not only helps my skin but also helps the environment and the people in it.

Even if you think this isn’t for you… why not go for it anyway? You never know where it could lead!

🙏 Please follow my new Instagram page

👍 I also have a Private Facebook Group - Please ask to join that too! (Tropic Skincare with Grace W)

And perhaps share it with any of your friends or family that you think would be interested?

If would mean so much to me!

Thank you for your support 🙏

🌱100% Natural Ingredients
🌿COSMOS certified organic
🐰Vegan & Cruelty Free
🏆Award Winning
♻️Return, Recycle, Reward Scheme
💚 10% of profits donated to charity

31/10/2023

Norfolk meets Turkey in NEW Supper Club at Mannington Hall!

We are SO excited to bring you our first ever collaboration between Walpole’s Kitchen and Aylin Ward Cooks, bringing you a brand new and unique dining experience.

Turkish cook Aylin Ward, brings her Middle Eastern flair and ideas to this delicious 7 Course Tasting Menu.

Norfolk born, chef Grace Walpole, (trained at Leiths) brings her local knowledge, as well as years of experience in kitchens across the UK to the table.

This is an exciting collaboration and a feast NOT TO BE MISSED!

Both Aylin and Grace have strong family values at the heart of their cooking and therefore this will be one long table, for all our guests to sit together and break (flat) bread. Whether you decide to come as part of a group, in a pair or on your own, we encourage you to make new friends and catch up with old ones.

This is a wonderful birthday/pre-Christmas gift, or perhaps a staff Christmas party for your small but hard-working team? A perfect way to say Thank You to someone special, or simply let your hair down for an enjoyable evening; doing something different with family and friends!

WHEN: Friday 24th November 2023
TICKET PRICE: £85 per head
This includes a 7 Course Tasting Menu and Drinks
WHERE: Held in the Mannington tearooms

SPACES ARE LIMITED - BOOKING ESSENTIAL!
Over 18s only.

(Please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements.)

Welcome Drinks: 6pm
Sit Down for Dinner 7pm

How can I find out more and book?

1. Send us a message via our social media (Facebook or Instagram)
2. Call Grace on 07878 184 234
3. Call Aylin on 07557475120
4. E-mail Grace [email protected]
5. E-mail Aylin - [email protected]

19/10/2023

Are you feeling crafty?!
Get these dates in your diary!
Incudes lunch! (Isn’t that an amazing deal?!)
BOOKING ESSENTIAL!

17/10/2023

‼️This is a SCAM! This is NOT an event at Mannington! Please report it to Facebook and to us if you see people using this scam!‼️

🚨THIS IS A SCAM. This is not us and we do NOT have an event on 2nd/3rd December.
Please do not give them any money! 🚨

Please Share!!!

13/10/2023

Coming soon - Autumn Day! If you want to be added to the Mannington Mailing List for more info about the newest events, please get in touch! 💌

🍂AUTUMN DAY 2023🍂

Back by popular demand!

We had such great feedback from our visitors who came to the Autumn Day last year, that we’ve decided to do it again!

The Autumnal colours in the gardens at Mannington are looking simply stunning, with deep browns and burnt oranges accented with dark red rose hips.

*WHEN* Sunday 22nd October
10am - 4pm

*WHERE* Mannington Hall, NR11 7BB.

*PRICE* All Adults - £8. Under 16 - Free.

What else is there to see and do?

🍰 Our tearooms will be open serving soup and sandwiches, plus delicious cakes and scones!

🐦‍⬛ Bird Ringing Demo - See our Countryside Ranger Emma and her trusty team of volunteers, ringing birds near to our bird hide. This is key to the conservation of birds on the estate.

🖼️ Check out the Stable Gallery for lots of beautiful prints to look at and to buy. Perhaps you’ll find the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one…

🛍️ Our shop will also be open, with lots of great gifts for early Christmas shopping!

🐕 And don’t forget, dogs are welcome too! (But please keep them on leads to protect the wildlife).

🍁

14/08/2023

Looking for a delicious smelling, locally made candle? Look no further! (Plus they are on offer this week!)
Support a Norfolk small business today 🙌

Morning Everyone, may you all have a blessed and wonderful week.

Our signature candles are currently on offer this week at just £18.50.

Inbox for all orders until we get our new e-commerce platform up and running :)

Levi and Demmi. ###

31/07/2023

😳 Is it really nearly August?

⏰ Time flies when you’re having fun!

☀️ The summer season is well underway - I can’t believe how quickly it has gone so far. I have been overwhelmed with the kind words from clients and their guests, which makes every early morning and late night well worth it.

📔 Although I am fully booked in the next few months, I still have some availability in November and December, so please do message me if you need help with your event or party.

😄 I also have lots more exciting projects in the pipeline, so watch this space!

📞 Also, if you are looking to do a collaboration or work with Walpole’s Kitchen, please do get in touch.

15/07/2023

SATURDAY SOCIAL!

Most of my ‘Shout Outs’ are usually food/drink or hospitality related but there are other businesses that help me in non-food related ways, generally making my life better.

Please Like, Share, Follow, or simply Google these wonderful people to learn more….

(www.firstclassfirstaidltd.co.uk)
An INCREDIBLY useful course run by the fab Rachel. Not enough of us know basic First Aid yet it’s SO important. (I was recently praised by a paramedic for helping a lady suffering with a severe nosebleed before he arrived) Rachel gives you the confidence to jump in and help when others are panicking around you.

(www.pettittandboo.co.uk)
The BEST customer service ever and great dog food/treats at affordable prices. My dogs are forever getting compliments about their silky soft fur or great body condition and it's all down to the help, advice, and great prices from Pettitt and Boo. (Particular shout outs to Jodie and Kelci in Bowthorpe!)
aylsham
These lovely ladies ALWAYS have the outfit solution to anything I need. Funerals, Norfolk Winter parties, Weddings in Ibiza. They've got it all and always with the best advice. A great shop with an amazing range of unique items. (Psssst… And the Sale Rail always throws up some gems!)

Abel Heath Kennels. www.abelheathworkingdogs.com
There isn’t much I can say about Steve and Karen except… I love them and couldn't live without them! They are the only people I trust with my dogs. I almost don't want to recommend them as they are already so busy!

www.nathanrathbone.com
It’s only been up a week and I’m already getting compliments and business from Nate’s well-designed website. Nate is easy to work with, understands the brief and doesn’t faff about. Need a website or something designed? Look no further.

Please write the names or tag small/local businesses in the comments and SPREAD THE LOVE.

08/05/2023

Please share this and get in touch with Mannington! Small businesses - Let’s support each other!

When was the last time you had an opportunity to come and visit us?

Are you a small business, local to Mannington?

If so, we’d like to invite you to visit the gardens, FOC this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 11am-4pm.

Simply get in touch via email ([email protected]) telephone or send us a direct message introducing yourselves and your company and we’ll send you your tickets and some information about us.

We look forward to meeting you and hopefully working together in the future!

24/04/2023

06/04/2023

Hello! 👋🏼

I'm Grace. The face behind Walpole's Kitchen.

Many of you already know me as I love to chat and get to know people, however I'm often busy, working behind the scenes so you might know my food, but not my face!

Last year, my other half Chris and I moved to beautiful Norfolk, where I was born. Best decision ever! Life here feels unique – the county has a gorgeous spirit and an incredible natural larder for a start. I love to use local ingredients and support small businesses and farmers wherever I can in my food.

After a spell in marketing, I decided to study a diploma at Leiths School of Food and Wine, where I learnt to master techniques in a range of cooking skills as well as receiving my WSET Level 2. (Wine & Spirit Education Trust.)

The next 15 years saw me working in restaurants across London and then Edinburgh, before moving to Kent. There I worked in pubs and restaurants, before going freelance. I worked with a brilliant local caterer called Home Gurr'own, (whose ethos fitted mine perfectly) with a wonderful team of likeminded individuals and was offered the Head Chef position a year later.

When I'm not in the kitchen, thumbing through cookbooks or checking out local restaurants, you'll find me with my 2 rescue dogs Odie and Orla, trying to tire them out. (An impossible challenge!) As well as food, wine and dogs, my passions lie in photography, gardening, music, and comedy. I love to travel and to take inspiration from food I have tried in France, Scandinavia, India and South America.

Well, now that you know a bit more about me, I hope that you follow me and my work and more importantly, drop me a message, so that I can help you plan your next event, however big or small it may be, because everyone knows life is all about food and making memories.

📸 Photocredit

08/03/2023

Happy International Women’s Day! 💁🏼‍♀️

Today is a day to remind all those wonderful women out there, how much you appreciate them.

“You are awesome!”

I’ve been very lucky over the past 12 months to make new friends and meet some truly fabulous women, some real trailblazers and plenty of strong, independent ladies.

I’ve met lots of amazing women running their own businesses, who have been truly inspiring as well as supportive towards me. 🌟

“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”
- Michelle Obama.

26/02/2023

A Sunday Roast.

One of the best meals of the week. The only problem is that you don’t really need a starter, as you’ll want to eat as many of those fluffy, crispy roasties and Yorkshire Puddings as you can.

However, an option that is always a people pleaser is homemade, freshly baked bread with dips.

This is Portuguese Water Bread or Pão de Água made with flour from Lethersett Mill ().

It is a delicious bread with - as the name suggests - a lot of water to create a very wet dough and therefore a bread with lots of bubbles and a lovely crust.

Served with local Rapeseed Oil () and Balsamic Vinegar, a Hazelnut Dukkah plus Whipped Cream Cheese and Marmite Butter, your guests won’t be able to resist.

(But best of all, if you don’t eat it all today, you can toast some for Monday morning breakfast, with essential lashings of butter and jam.)

🔪

20/02/2023

Last week we had the pleasure of cooking for a lovely family at a 60th birthday party .

The family hadn’t been together for such a long time, that they enjoyed Valentine’s Day, a Christmas Dinner and 60th birthday celebrations all in the space of a few days!

Hiring a venue like Gresham Hall is the perfect way to have your family and friends under one roof (and even better if you ask us to cook for you!).

One member of the family was gluten free, so everything from the beer and beef shin stew () to the Franken Dessert (Trifle and Black Forest Gateau!) was made gluten free, without hindering the flavours of the canapés or dishes.

Speaking of canapés - the family chose these colourful Mint Mojitos and Woo Woos to go with them and I was especially pleased to finally photograph a beautiful Christmas present of mine…. Sheila Broom’s Guinea Fowl feather glass. 😀 ()

A perfect canapé platter, don’t you think?

If you’re hiring a venue in Norfolk and would like us to come and cook for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Norfolk is becoming increasingly popular as a UK holiday destination - Come and see…. You’ll soon find out why!

06/02/2023

Dates are filling up quickly for 2023!

It seems that lots of you have already had enough of this chilly weather and are thinking ahead to your Summer holidays in Norfolk!

If you are staying in a holiday cottage in Norfolk and would like Walpole’s Kitchen to cook for you and your family/friends - Please get in touch!

We offer bespoke menus to fit your taste and budget and are more than happy to make special meals for little ones or those with specific dietary requirements.

Why cook and wash up for yourselves when we’re here to do it for you?!

After a long walk along one of our beautiful beaches, simply come back to your cottage and enjoy a delicious home cooked meal, waiting for you.

🍸Canapés and cocktails?
🧀A bountiful, local cheese board paired wine or beer?
🍴A 2, 3, 4 (or more!) course meal?
🍗A BBQ?

The decision is yours!

Let us make your holiday even more relaxed and enjoyable.

01/02/2023

🍴Restaurant Recommendations!🍴

I had 3 delicious restaurant lunches in January - and they all deserve a shout-out!

As a chef, there’s nothing better than having the opportunity to check out what other chefs are doing and support their businesses.

1. Boston House - The lunch menu here was great value, beautifully presented and really tasty. They also had a good selection of wines by the glass - I must go back for the cocktails as they sounded amazing too!

2. The Saracen’s Head - We had an excellent Sunday roast here. A welcoming and cosy pub with a seasonal menu, locally sourced. The Pear Tarte Tatin with Salted Caramel ice cream was a delight!

3. The Ingham Swan - This 3 AA Rosette, Michelin Recommended Restaurant was a birthday treat for Mum. In fact, it was a treat for all for us! An inviting and beautifully decorated pub with an exciting menu and flavourful food. The additional extras of Norfolk Crunch Bread, with butter and hummus were a lovely touch but I must give a special shout out to the Comté and Truffle French Fries with Leek Ash. Seriously good. 🤤


👩🏼‍🍳Which fabulous restaurants in Norfolk have you eaten at recently that you feel deserve a shout out?🧑🏼‍🍳

30/01/2023

And that’s a wrap!

It was the last weekend of the UK shooting season and I had a blast cooking for some lovely new clients.

A weekend full of tasty food - and people enjoying themselves. The way every weekend should be!

They dined on lunches of Chicken Fricassee and Redcurrant Venison Bourguignon with Apple and Pear Crumble and Spiced Rice Pudding to finish.

Dinners started with drinks and canapés followed by starters of Scallops with Pea Purée and Black Pudding Crumbs and Squid Ink Risotto. Main courses were Duck Breasts served on Borlotti Beans with a Porcini and Red Wine Sauce and Halibut on a bed of Peas and Leeks with a Lobster Sauce.

Finishing with Sorbet, Crème Brûlée and of course, Cheese!

Meals were interspersed with Elevenses of Oysters (thanks to the ) Pan fried Partridge with Sweet Chilli Sauce, Sausage Rolls and a classic Bullshot, plus Tea with Cake, Crumpets, Potted Shrimps and Sardines.

Shooting Season is now over, however if you run shoots in Norfolk and are looking for help with food for the 2023 season, please do get in touch for prices.

From simple meals to elaborate multi course feasts, we can find a menu that suits you.

We look forward to working with you in October!

Also - Can’t wait to see your beautiful photos!

📣Shout out to all the fabulous suppliers including , .sheringham, , , and 📣