The arrival of August signifies more than just the height of summer for food lovers and chefs alike; it marks the beginning of one of Britain’s most anticipated culinary traditions and the annual Galvin La Chapelle grouse dinner. The beginning of grouse season is highly anticipated, heralding the return of one of the UK’s most prized wild game birds to restaurant menus.
On the 18th of August, Galvin La Chapelle is marking the occasion by hosting a one-night-only communal dining experience in The Gallery, where you can enjoy a specially curated five-course menu, dedicated to the celebration of grouse, by Michelin-starred chefs Chris and Jeff Galvin. The evening will begin with a welcome glass of champagne, and will conclude with coffee and petit fours. With limited spaces available, it’s bound to be one of London’s most-sought-after events of the summer season.
An exhibit of British seasonality and the artistry of fine dining, the night promises an intimate and convivial dining experience, priced at £165 per person.
The Arrival of Grouse Season
Grouse is typically considered to be the king of feathered game, with the first day of the shooting season, August 12th, known as The Glorious Twelfth. The season is relatively short, running from mid-August until December, so few dates are as eagerly anticipated for Britain’s top chefs.
The red grouse is endemic to the British Isles and roams freely across the moorlands, unlike farmed poultry, and therefore has a naturally rich diet of berries and wild herbs. This results in a distinct flavour profile, rich, gamey and slightly earthy tones which reflect the landscape it comes from. Its wild nature and short hunting season make it one of the most sought-after ingredients in British gastronomy. Grouse is a celebration of seasonality, so every element of the dish must complement the bird’s complex flavour.
The Galvin Philosophy
Few chefs understand the beauty of British seasonality quite like the Galvin brothers, Chris and Jeff.
With incredibly successful careers, which have brought them to some of the world’s best kitchens and awarded them each a Michelin star, the Galvins have built a reputation for outstanding cuisine with exceptional ingredients at its core. Their Michelin-starred flagship, Galvin La Chapelle, has espoused seasonality, allowing ingredients to dictate the menu.
Game has always occupied a special place within their cooking. It demands precision and restraint, qualities which have become synonymous with the Galvin name over the years. Their approach to grouse respects its complexity with the accompaniment of simple ingredients, and the use of classical techniques to enhance flavour rather than overpower it.
The Grouse Dinner offers a rare opportunity to experience this philosophy through the tasting menu dedicated to one of Britain’s finest seasonal delicacies.
Passion for Grouse
For Chris and Jeff Galvin, grouse has long held a special place on the menu, as evidenced by over 10 years of the annual Grouse Dinner hosted at Galvin La Chapelle. Each August signals the return of an ingredient that has featured prominently throughout their careers, inspiring menus that celebrate the very best of British game. Its limited season creates a sense of anticipation for both chefs and diners alike, making every dish an opportunity to capture a moment that can only be enjoyed for a few short months each year. The Grouse Dinner reflects that appreciation, offering the chance to experience the bird in several different forms, each highlighting a different facet of its remarkable flavour, alongside a showcase of classical and contemporary skill acquired over years of honing.
The Menu: A Celebration of Grouse
The evening will begin with a welcome glass of Galvin Grande Réserve Brut Champagne, the first course following will be an exquisite grouse liver beignet, finished with spicy cherry and smoked almond. This luxurious opening exemplifies the versatility of grouse and sets the tone for the courses to follow.
The journey continues with a Bordelaise-style risotto, enriched by preserved lemon, jus gras, and Australian black truffle. This dish layers earthy tones with bright citrus flavours, showcasing classical French techniques that define the restaurant.
Next comes the main event, a pine-smoked grouse, paired with fermented fig, charred baby turnip and cacao nib. This dish will highlight the bird’s naturally rich flavour while also introducing layers of sweetness and gentle bitterness through the cacao.
Frozen strawberry with nasturtium oil, yoghurt and finger lime comes as a refreshing palate cleanser, a vibrant pause before dessert.
To conclude, a Manjari chocolate semifreddo, served with salted caramel and burnt milk ice cream, before finishing with petit fours and coffee, a suitably elegant finale to the evening.
A Journey Through the Wines
Complementing each course is a carefully curated wine pairing that reflects the progression of the evening meal. Be welcomed with the crisp elegance of Galvin Grande Réserve Brut Champagne, with fine bubbles and bright citrus notes. An aromatic 2019 Gewürztraminer from Rolly Gassmann in Alsace follows, offering fragrant lychee, rose petals and exotic spice, with notes of candied ginger and citrus peel that beautifully balance the savoury opening course. The earthy richness of the Bordelaise risotto is matched with a 2021 Saumur Champigny from Château Yvonne in the Loire Valley, a Cabernet Franc with intense notes of blackcurrant, blackberry and cassis.
The main act, the pine-smoked grouse, is paired with a 2019 La Réserve de Léoville-Barton from Bordeaux, a well-structured Saint-Julien with strong notes of blackcurrant, plum and cedar.
To finish, a five-year-old Justino’s Madeira brings layers of caramel, vanilla and raisins, providing a warm and indulgent conclusion alongside the chocolate semifreddo, ahead of the petit fours and coffee to round off the evening.
A One-Night-Only Dining Experience
The dinner will be hosted in The Gallery of Galvin La Chapelle, an exclusive, private dining area suspended above the restaurant. Bathe in the ambience, overlooking the atmosphere of the restaurant below, surrounded by the elegance of the Grade-II listed building. Beyond the exceptional menu, the setting and format are what make this evening unique. The communal table will bring together a small group of people to share this incredible gastronomic experience in an intimate setting. It’s an opportunity not only to enjoy Michelin-starred cuisine, but to share the experience with fellow enthusiasts who appreciate the significance of Britain’s game season. Conversations flow over shared food and strangers become friends over the course of an evening.
With limited covers and only one night to experience it, the Grouse Dinner is a celebration of seasonality and one of Britain’s most coveted and unique ingredients. For those who admire exceptional food and memorable dining experiences, this evening promises to be one of London’s standout culinary events of the summer.
To discover more and book, visit: galvinrestaurants.com/grouse-dinner-london
All Photos Courtesy of Galvin La Chapelle.