Northumberland chef creates edible chocolate version of historic castle
Guests at a 676-year-old Northumberland castle hotel are discovering they can not only sleep in a castle but eat one too.
Langley Castle Hotel, near Hexham, has unveiled an extraordinary edible version of its 14th-century fortified castle.
The intricate dessert, which has been delighting diners enjoying the fine dining menu over the past few weeks, is a chocolate mousse creation fashioned into the unmistakable shape of Langley Castle itself.
It even comes complete with finer details of the castle’s distinctive medieval architecture.
Made using a specially commissioned mould, the miniature chocolate castle is a chocolate mousse and sponge dish, flavoured with mandarin gel and vanilla and served with a refreshing mandarin sorbet.
The creation is one of the first examples of the culinary imagination being brought to Langley Castle’s menus by Mark Greenaway.
He has recently joined the hotel as its first-ever Culinary Director, during its 40th anniversary year as a hotel and restaurant, and has quickly plotted this and some fantastic dishes for Christmas party nights at the castle.
Mark is known for his appearances on BBC's Great British Menu, Saturday Kitchen and Sunday Brunch, as well as his acclaimed Edinburgh restaurant, which held three AA Rosettes.
His career has also included Grazing by Mark Greenaway at Edinburgh's Caledonian Hotel and a move into London's restaurant scene. He is also the author of two cookbooks, Perception and Progression.
Mark Greenaway says: "When you have a building as extraordinary as Langley Castle, it seems a shame not to bring a little of that character and history to the plate.
"We wanted to create something that would surprise people, make them smile and, most importantly, taste fantastic. The specially commissioned mould allows us to recreate the castle itself, while the ingredients are sheer indulgence.”
Langley Castle's General Manager, Mohamed Serag, says: "Guests have been able to sleep within the walls of Langley Castle for the past 40 years, but now they can actually eat the castle too.
"The castle dessert is proving hugely popular and providing a wonderful conversation piece. It is exactly the kind of imaginative culinary experience we hoped Mark would introduce and the sort of dish that is elevating our food offering day by day.”