Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire celebrates 40 years of gastronomy, gardens and culture 

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel. Over four decades, Le Manoir has become a destination where gastronomy, gardens and culture come alive in stunning surroundings. As pioneers of seasonality, sustainability, and sourcing locally, Le Manoir proudly embodies the Garden to Table ethos of its chef-patron, Raymond Blanc OBE.

From the very beginning, Raymond's vision for Le Manoir has always been to create a haven of hospitality, nurtured by flourishing organic vegetable gardens, inspired by his childhood in France. Over the decades, Le Manoir has evolved to what it is today to become home to 11 different gardens and a 2,500-strong heritage orchard, individually styled suites inspired by Raymond's travels alongside a collection of artworks and sculptures dotted throughout. As well as the world-renowned Raymond Blanc Cookery School, it's also home to The Raymond Blanc Gardening School, reflecting Le Manoir's ethos of garden-to-plate gastronomy and has developed to become a place where Raymond's knowledge can be shared and practised.

As Le Manoir enters its 40th year and maintains its two Michelin Star status, Luke Selby has returned to Le Manoir as Executive Head Chef after achieving his own Michelin Star. Returning to work with his mentor, Raymond Blanc OBE, Luke returns to the kitchens for the first time since starting his career at Le Manoir in 2009. Together, Raymond and Luke have redefined Le Manoir's classic dishes with a fresh, creative outlook while maintaining the restaurant and country house status as one of the very best in Europe.

To celebrate the momentous occasion, Raymond will host a series of special lunches at Le Manoir, showcasing the essence of garden gastronomy and culinary stardom, including:

40 Years of Garden to Plate – a celebratory lunch with Raymond Blanc OBE

Discover what influences and drives Raymond at a special lunch to mark Le Manoir's 40 years, the second in a series of four. Each will celebrate a different aspect of Le Manoir, with a focus on garden-to-plate gastronomy. Arrive to champagne, canapés and an effervescent welcome from Raymond. Sit down to a five-course lunch showcasing Le Manoir's pursuit of excellence that extends to every carrot, cabbage and apple cultivated on site. The cuisine is complemented by carefully chosen wines and rounded off with coffee, tea and petits fours. Monday 11th March 11:30-16:00 / £295 per person.

40 Years of Culinary Stardom – a celebratory lunch with Raymond Blanc OBE
Join Raymond Blanc and the Le Manoir team for the spring lunch in the series, this one celebrating 40 years of gastronomic excellence. One of only 20 two-Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK, Le Manoir gained its stars in 1984, the year of opening, and has remarkably retained them ever since. It was also recently honoured with a Green Michelin Star in recognition of its sustainable practices. Discover the harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques and the quality of seasonal, organic ingredients that have earned Le Manoir its accolades in this celebratory lunch. It begins with a welcome from Raymond, together with chilled champagne and delicious canapés. Linger over an exquisite five-course lunch, where many of the ingredients are grown outside in the gardens or sourced from esteemed local suppliers considered part of the Le Manoir family. After coffee, tea and petits fours, take the opportunity to meet the brigade before exploring the gardens that are so intrinsic to Le Manoir's success. Wednesday 1st May 11:30-16:00 / £295 per person.

Le Manoir Launches an Afternoon Tea to Celebrate 40th Year
In addition to the culinary experiences, and in keeping with its curation of enchanting new experiences for the 40th anniversary, Le Manoir will also launch its first-ever Afternoon Tea for non-residents. For a limited time only, residents and visitors are invited to indulge in an exquisite afternoon tea featuring a delectable menu crafted by the collaboration of Raymond Blanc and Benoit Blin. Immersed in the historic charm of the original house, Le Grande Salle, where, in 1984, the main restaurant space earned Raymond his inaugural Michelin stars at Le Manoir. Select from an extensive array of specialty teas, relish in delightful sandwiches, and savour warm fruit scones accompanied by clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserve. The pastry selection boasts irresistible treats, such as a Pistachio Macaron with Bergamot, a Yuzu and White Chocolate Barquette, a theme of Yorkshire Rhubarb with Timur pepper, and an Earl Grey and Chocolate Tartelette with Lemon Toffee. Available every Monday and Tuesday from 20th February until 26th March 2024 / £75 per person

Chef Patron, Raymond Blanc, speaks of the 40th Anniversary: “I can hardly believe that the Oxfordshire manor house I fell in love with 40 years ago is still my life, my passion and my dream, a place where gastronomy, sustainability and conviviality flow to the rhythm of the seasons. My vision was to create a haven of hospitality, nurtured by flourishing organic vegetable gardens. Over the decades, my team and I have continued to evolve Le Manoir so that the true ethos of garden-to-plate gastronomy can be shared and practised. I can't wait to share the next chapters in it's story” Visitors are invited to join Le Manoir throughout the year of celebration. Whether innovating at the cooking and gardening schools, experiencing culinary alchemy at the double Michelin-starred restaurant, or strolling through the manicured gardens, 2024 is set to be a year to remember at Le Manoir.