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It is such a pleasure to be able to wish you a Happy New Year, 2018 has just begun, and what a wonderful time to start thinking about what the coming year holds. We have a truly exciting January planned for those who are waiting in anticipation of “Come and Dine”. You can look forward to video releases and more content to help you organise your perfect dinner party during February while aiming to raise money for charity.
Please return to the Community page each week during January where there will be plenty to keep your imagination fresh as you prepare for your dinner parties. Then, in February, as we receive entries you will be able to get a glimpse of the other wonderful parties people are hosting around the world!
In the meantime, here is a guide to how we set the table here at Highclere castle, as shown by our two charming butlers, Luis and Jorge. Please enjoy this short video, shot in the Dining Room, as the table is set to best frame the wonderful food produced by Paul, the Chef:
If you have any questions, or want to let us know your thoughts, please comment below and engage with us as a community. We would love to see your progress, so any of photos as you prepare or practice in readiness for February should be sent to the “Come and Dine” email.
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What a beautiful table! May I ask where I could locate your table candle lamps from, or something similar? They really do compliment the table so well!
Many thanks,
Kirsty xxx
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I have just read your req. for the Gala Affair, and may I suggest a thought.
Please remind all of the applicants to be sure that there Passports are valid, and up to date. Sense this dinner is for anyone in the world, it would be terrible, for someone to win, and not have a passport, and there guest as well to get to England on time!
Just a suggestion, sense your following in international, it would terrible, that at the last minute, you find out that you, and som of your guests passport is out dated.
Enjoy your party,
Sincerely,
John Roberts
Amherst N.Y.
Good morning,
I am so glad to see you are still supporting the Downton Abbey aura. I did a good deal of reading about the era as well as enjoyed your books – just need to procure the latest.
I hope the dinners are fun and the night in the castle are a thrill.
Shirley S Taylor
Midwest City Okla
Beautiful setting! There is nothing like a well-dressed table.
We are making our plans with much excitement and enthusiasm, but may I ask, can you invite more than 8 people to dine? I realize the prize is for 8 people but we have always included the same family/neighbours to our events in the past and it feels like we are snubbing them if they don’t receive an invitation too. Your advice would be most appreciated.
Thank you,
Heather
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
As the secretary of a WI Group in the Basingstoke Area, I wondered if you would be prepared to give a talk to our members. Our Group contains WIs from Hannington, North Waltham, Bramley,
Chineham, Overton and Oakley to mention a few. I don’t know whether you do speak in public but if you were able we would be pleased to have you. Obviously there would be a fee and the date I am proposing may not be suitable for you but would be in March 2019.
Yours
Gill Dixon
Sec. Loddon Group and Chineham WI.
I would be delighted to receive an email from you to discuss this further – [email protected]
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I was interested to note that you state that there is no cutlery placed above the place setting. I was taught to place the dessert spoon and fork above the place setting. Is this wrong, or is it a personal choice?
Thanks for all your interesting posts on your blog. I look forward to receiving your emails.
Best regards
Bill
(Currently in Florida, escaping the English weather!)
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
Happy New Year 2018 to you, your family and your wonderful staff!
I’m glad to see a picture of Luis who very warmly welcomed us (me and my food allergies…and my husband) to your tea room early July last summer. He was also very nice and generous in answering our questions and the ladies’ on the table next to us about Downton Abbey the real and the TV show filming. In all, he just understood that I came a long way just to be there and have a cup of tea and that’s all that mattered that rainy day (the first in two weeks we were in England!).
This Come and Dine made a real sparkle with my circle of friends and family who enjoyed the series… now we are planning…
Keep writing, it is always a pleasure to read you and look at the beautiful pictures you share with us.
May 2018 be full of good, great and funny anecdotes for us, your readers and followers! (c :
Chantal Leblanc
Montréal, Canada
Luis is so enthusiastic but has great attention to detail, we have a good team. I have a video of him setting the table to share next!
This is my dream as I am sure many others dream this as well. Thank you for everything you are showing us.
Life is tricky enough – I need stories and laughter! I hope there might be lots of dinner parties – cook, talk and laugh
Dear Lady Carnarvon
What a wonderful event. Oh how magical it would be for us to be part of such a special dinner occasion. The thing dreams are made of! Just as well since we live in New Zealand.
We met Luis on 14 July – he was charming & made us feel both welcome & special.
We’re sure you’ll have the most amazing success & the winners will be the luckiest people ever. More than a wee bit envious.
You are welcome to take part!
Love your table it is perfect for a party. So nice to see that the Downton dinning room still looks very much has it did in the TV show.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
What a great piece of information on how to set a proper table. I am in the process of selecting the friends that will be invited to our Downton Abbey dinner party. I look forward to reviewing the upcoming e-mails regarding how to prepare for a formal dinner party.
Best Regards,
Radine Klein
Lady Carnarvon:
This is so exciting!!! Although I wont be participating this time around, I am finding it so interesting, fun and exciting. Talk about living vicariously–that’s me!!!
To all the entrants: Good luck, here’s looking forward to your journey as you share it with us.
Kind regards,
Bev
Kitchen supper then!
Good afternoon, Lady Carnarvon,
I have admired Highclere for many years as my former husband’s family lived in Big Horn, Wyoming and knew your husband’s mother, Jean Wallop. We used to receive a Christmas card every year with the beautiful picture of Highclere from Jeannie and Porchy.
Now I live in New Hampshire at a Life Care facility and for 2 years we hosted the PBS premier showing of Downton Abbey. I lived vicariously by wearing my grandmother’s dress and dreamed one day of visiting Highclere. How wonderful of you to open your home to the world and to the millions of people who have enjoyed, and may I say, been addicted to, Downton Abbey.
Thank you for your graciousness and your gift.
Nancy Cameron