Join Tom Aikens for a Culinary Adventure in the Scottish Highlands

Tom grew up around great food and wine and his reverence for fresh seasonal produce comes through in his menus. In his own words: “Food is my life and my first true love. It has given me more than I could ever imagine.”

This Hosted Cooking Experience brings the very best seasonal and locally sourced ingredients from the Highlands. With an exclusively designed 4-day menu that is a tribute to the best from local Scottish farmers.

The menu is aligned with Alladale’s approach to food, by only working with small local and family run suppliers to source the best of produce, including wild venison and fresh trout from the local rivers and lochs. The menu comprises Tom’s hearty specialities and comfort recipes, designed exclusively for this experience in the Highlands.

Alladale Wilderness Reserve is a 23,000 acre gem in the Scottish Highlands, 1.5 hours north of Inverness. This is the ultimate private getaway, a Victorian manor for all seasons. Guests can bask in all-in comfort and enjoy an array of outdoor pursuits before returning to a welcoming roaring fire.

The staff work on keeping this part of Scotland truly wild, by replanting lush forests and reintroducing original Highland plant and animal species. The rugged terrain in the reserve, with its dramatic glens, colorful hills, glistening rivers, and herds of majestic red deer will take your breath away.

Alladale is pleased to share this wonderful property in the Highlands by opening exclusively for this experience during its wild winter glory when the reserve is usually closed. During your stay you will be hosted in the main house at Alladale, a luxury Victorian lodge with seven bedrooms, dining room, games room and living room.

Tom Aikens is one of the UK’s most acclaimed and inspirational British chefs. Aikens has been the youngest chef in Britain to achieve two Michelin stars as head chef at Pied à Terre aged only 26. Born in London, into a family in the wine business, from childhood Tom had regular trips around France with his family. As they visited wineries while travelling around France, Tom sampled the best local food that the various regions had to offer and stared to appreciate French gastronomy at an early age. Tom grew up in Norfolk, where he studied at the Norwich City College Hotel School with his twin brother Rob, completing an Advanced Catering Diploma in 1989. 

His remarkable career took him to David Cavalier’s in Battersea, Pierre Koffman’s La Tante Claire, Joel Robuchon in Paris, Gerard Boyere’s in Riems and Pied-à-Terre to name a few. It was at the latter that Tom became the youngest British chef ever to be awarded two Michelin stars, aged just 26.

Hailed as one of the most creative and talented chefs Britain has ever seen, Tom Aiken is opening his new London restaurant Muse in Belgravia early in 2020. A chef who mastered fine-dining, Aikens ran his immensely successful eponymous restaurant, Tom Aikens (2003-2014), which won a Michelin star and rising 2 star in 2009. In 2006 Aikens followed with “Tom’s Kitchen”, a brasserie-style restaurant in Chelsea. Today Aikens has built a diverse international collection of restaurants operating across Europe, the Middle East & Asia. 

Tom has written three books; Cooking (2006), Fish (2008), and Easy (2011), and has made several appearances on television, reaching the final banquet of 2013’s Great British Menu on BBC2 in aid of Comic Relief, and is a regular guest on Great British Menu as a Judge and Great British Bake Off’s The Extra Slice. Tom is dedicated to serving only the highest quality, ethically sourced ingredients and continually supports The Environmental Justice Foundation to raise awareness of illegal ‘pirate’ fishing and diminishing fish stocks. He also works closely with various charities including: the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Campaign, Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign and School Food Matters, where he teaches young children basic cooking skills.