It was a heavenly match made in history. At the launch of Willington Hall’s new Dining Club, the hotel’s owners Stuart and Diana Begbie and their general manager son, Simon, chose Bollinger to welcome their guests. The famous Ab-Fab champagne house was founded in 1829 - the same year that the charming country house near Tarporley was built for Major W Tomkinson.

The opening black tie gourmet dinner was a celebration of head chef Paul-Anthony Smith’s passion for fine local ingredients. The centrepiece of the five-course menu featured superb Tatton venison and all the courses - quinoa, beetroot and goats’ cheese; artichoke, hen’s egg and truffle; Paul-Anthony’s clever take on ‘fish and chips’ featuring delicious hake; Taste of Cheshire cheeses and chocolate rrange - were brilliantly matched with complementary wines by Craig Duke of Cheshire-based C&O Wines.

Future Dining Club nights, planned quarterly, will feature champagne and canapé receptions followed by Paul-Anthony’s five-course seasonal menus based on the best Cheshire produce accompanied by specially chosen wines. Places will cost £65 per person. w