A WORD FROM THE PROPRIETOR

Last month I began my message by saying that we were ”limbering up” for an exciting Autumn Season.  Well, we seem to have gone into orbit!  The Chapman Family's 60th Anniversary Party on 9th October sold out within days and our waiting list for this grand gala is expanding rapidly.

Of course, there is also the launch of my new book, My Archipelago,
www.myarchipelago.co.uk which seems to be causing a stir with the media. For the real thing from the horse's mouth, do come to my Literary Lunch on Thursday, 7th October. Meanwhile, BBC Radio 4 have called to invite me on to Libby Purves's ”MidWeek” on Wednesday, 29th September. Live at 9.00 am. I shall also be doing a talk at Brendon Books in Taunton on the evening of Thursday, 23rd September and a signing at Waterstone's in Taunton between noon and 2.00 pm on Saturday, 25th.

Waterstone's have also booked me for signings in seven branches across the region or you can now pre-order copies of the book on Amazon. But, of course, if you would prefer a dedicated and signed copy, come to the lunch on 7th October.

Another autumn highlight is Richard's Cookery Masterclass on Wednesday, 29th September. This too is selling well and has to be a ”must” for keen amateur cooks looking for a little autumnal inspiration.

Richard Guest’s Cookery Demonstration and Lunch
Wednesday, 29th September, 2010

Join Kit and Louise Chapman for a morning's Masterclass under the expert tutelage of award-winning chef Richard Guest who will demonstrate a number of simple, mouth-watering seasonal dishes which you can try at home.

The session begins at 11.00am and will be followed by lunch in The Castle's restaurant. £45 includes the demonstration, a three-course lunch, wine and coffee
Find out more...

Literary Lunch :
The Launch of Kit Chapman’s New Book, My Archipelago
Thursday, 7th October, 2010

In this epic saga written from the sublime peace of his Aegean archipelago, the Castle's proprietor unravels the turbulent story of his family. It is a tale of fortunes won and lost, of bitter rivalries, death and suicide, moral angst, and the consuming love affair of his parents, Etty and Peter.

£45 to include the talk, a three-course lunch, wine and coffee.

For more information about the book, please go to www.myarchipelago.co.uk.

Great British Classics
Menu for September - two courses £17.95, three courses £22.95

Broccoli and walnut soup
Cabbage, mussel and parsley salad
Potted rabbit with Somerset chutney
The Castle's home-smoked salmon with cream cheese and blinis

Cornish fish stew
Roast of the day carved at your table from our trolley
Stuffed peppers with creamed potatoes

Victoria plum tart with vanilla ice cream
Apple crumble with cream - iced, clotted or pouring
Sticky toffee pudding with rum and raisin ice cream and toffee sauce

The Castle Restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday. On Sundays and Mondays, the restaurant is open for breakfast and pre-booked private dining. BRAZZ our lively brasserie is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Great British Classics : Carving Trolley Menu
Two courses £17.95, three courses £22.95

As part our monthly Great British Classics Menu, enjoy the weekly specials on the
carving trolley.

Tuesday : Lunch and Dinner
Roast chicken with bread sauce and sage and onion stuffing

Wednesday : Lunch and Dinner
Loin of pork with roast vegetables and apple sauce

Thursday : Lunch and Dinner
Leg of lamb with gratin potatoes and spinach in white sauce

Friday : Lunch Only
Haunch of venison, redcurrant jelly and creamed mushrooms

Saturday : Lunch Only
Roast rump of beef with Yorkshire pudding and roast potatoes

Friday and Saturday Dinner
Slow-roast duck with braised white cabbage, roast potatoes and apple sauce

Kit Chapman has 60 bottles of wine from his private cellar to give away to the first 60 people who stay for a weekend at The Castle within the next 60 days.

These are my ludicrously generous gestures to our faithful guests to mark the Family’s 60th Anniversary! (Prop.) Please quote Bin 60 when making your booking.

Wonderful gift ideas from the Castle.
Our fabulous menu of gift vouchers make perfect presents.

Click onto the link below and you will find a terrific selection of gift ideas: from delicious Somerset Cream Teas, to Summer Breaks, to Concert Tickets and even an opportunity to hone your cooking skills with Richard Guest who promises one-on-one personal tuition for wannabe chefs. There is even a mega-gift for anyone who fancies being ”King and Queen of the Castle” for a weekend.
Find out more...

Great value Summer Breaks at the Castle

Our Summer Breaks offer unbeatable value.

Find out more...

AND FINALLY...

This year our very own Tom Nicholson in Brazz will be taking part in The Prostate Cancer Charity's Tour Ride. This is a 70 km tour ride of the South West and takes place on Sunday 5th September 2010.

With the aim of helping to fight the most common cancer in men in the UK, the money raised will help The Prostate Cancer Charity to provide men affected by prostate cancer with the best support possible. They depend on people like Tom to raise funds otherwise they wouldn't be able to invest in vital research and services to those that need them most.

So we hope you will agree that Tom needs your support and you can demonstrate that by logging on to www.prostatecancercharity.org.uk/tomnicholson. We have!