The recently-refurbished Farmhouse at Mackworth was the location for a Men in Business luncheon hosted by Derbyshire Life
THE RECENTLY-refurbished Farmhouse at Mackworth was the location for a Men in Business luncheon hosted by Derbyshire Life. Formerly known as the Mackworth Hotel, the venue underwent major refurbishments in 2015 and re-opened as the Farmhouse at Mackworth last spring, showcasing a bright and beautiful new look.
The new name is a nod to the venue’s 18th century origins and fittingly many of the building’s charming period features have been carefully preserved whilst modern touches and a tasteful new colour scheme have brought the décor right up to date.
Now a beautiful mix of ‘rustic charm and stylish chic’, The Farmhouse incorporates a vibrant restaurant and bar area and ten beautifully-styled boutique bedrooms, each offering home comforts including Nespresso machines, fresh leaf tea, luxury toiletries and flat-screen smart televisions.
There’s more to The Farmhouse than first meets the eye, however, and tucked away to the rear of the building is the contemporary Folly – an intimate venue for special celebrations, conferences, weddings and civil ceremonies that can comfortably accommodate up to 200 people for a buffet and 130 for a sit-down meal.
And so it was that representatives from businesses across the county assembled for welcome drinks and networking before settling at simply-styled tables in the attractive function room, where feature windows overlook the terrace and glorious gardens.
Following the appointment of new head chef Paul Crick, formerly of a renowned restaurant in Derby city centre, the luncheon was all about showcasing the new and exciting dishes The Farmhouse’s kitchen team is now producing, with a menu that includes wood-fired pizza and Josper oven-cooked steaks.
To start, guests enjoyed flavoursome ham and chicken terrine served with toasted sourdough bread and a vibrant piccalilli; delicate yet robust, with a subtle kick that went perfectly with the meatiness of the terrine.
The main course of roast fillet of beef with fondant potatoes, shallot purée and aromatic red wine jus was equally well-received and delicious ‘shavings’ of slow-cooked short rib complemented the juicy meat perfectly.
We finished with a comfortingly-gooey chocolate brownie, topped with ice cream and a sprinkle of crunchy peanut brittle that got top marks for sugary satisfaction.
Wines were a well-matched Tierra Antica Sauvignon Blanc – crisp and zestful with tropical fruit flavours, ideal for spring – and a soft, sweet Tierra Antica Merlot.
As mid-day turned into mid-afternoon, busy work schedules came to the fore and guests began reluctantly to drift away – yet the opportunity to relax and enjoy the rare luxury of an extended lunch in stylish surroundings more than made up for it.
The Farmhouse at Mackworth, 60 Ashbourne Rd, Derby DE22 4LY Tel: 01332 824324 www.thefarmhouseatmackworth.com
