Cindy Challoner

Game with Cindy Challoner

Great British Menu Contestant

“I love all forms of game. I love the season and after a long summer of cooking with all the fruits and vegetables that grow in the warmer months it’s wonderful to look forward to the game season and all the autumnal vegetables that are around at the same time.

I especially love pheasant. I like to roast the crowns which is basically the two breasts removed from the carcass but kept together. I roast these very simply in the oven and then rest them before serving. Because they are wild and do not have the fat content of chicken, for example, they cook quickly and this makes preparation much easier.

Pheasant is a remarkable meat because it has a mild flavour but it goes with so many things. One of the ways I like to serve it is with a parsnip purée and a cabbage parcel. Both of these are in season and pair up beautifully.

Parsnips make a delicious purée that you can use with other meats and fish as well or enjoy on its own. I use double cream to enrich the flavour. Cabbage goes so well with game and I like to stuff the leaves with a chestnut filling. Chestnuts are another winter ingredient that suits pheasant and the flavour of the cabbage really brings out its sweetness. Paired with the parsnips it makes a lovely dish.

Game season really is tremendous fun and every year I can’t wait to try something new because there’s so much variety available - especially in Wales.”

Llangoed Hall | Hotel

Mid Wales Llyswen

Llangoed Hall, in the splendid Wye Valley not far from Hayon-Wye, bills itself as the quintessential country house hotel and it’s not hard to see why. The house was remodelled and renovated by Sir Bernard Ashley, the father of interior designer Laura Ashley, in the early 20th century and the hotel is proud of its heritage. Set in 23 acres it’s certainly a place to escape from it all. The restaurant has won numerous awards and the kitchen garden provides the kitchen with fruit, vegetables and herbs throughout the season. You’ll also find seasonal game on the menu. Llyswen, Brecon Powys LD3 0YP T: 01874 754525

llangoedhall.co.uk

Llugwy River Restaurant

North Wales Betws-y-Coed

Llugwy River Restaurant at The Royal Oak Hotel

On the northern edges of Snowdonia National Park, not far from the confluence of the River Llugwy and the River Conwy, you can find the village of Betws-y-Coed. Right by the Llugwy is The Royal Oak Hotel, an old coaching inn, which has just celebrated 50 years under the same ownership. There are two restaurants - The Grill and the Llugwy River Restaurant and both take great pride in their Welsh ingredients and identity. Head chef Nathan Breese Roberts runs the kitchens and serves traditional game in season.

Holyhead Road Betws-y-Coed LL24 0AY T: 01690 7102198 E: reservations@ royaloakhotel.net

royaloakhotel.net

Mansion House | Restaurant with Rooms

South Wales Llansteffan

The Mansion House in Llansteffan is on the estuary of the Towy river downstream from Carmarthen and set in five acres of romantic hilltop gardens. Owners David and Wendy Beaney were married in the house in 1996 and came back to buy it in 2012. The Moryd Restaurant is named after the Welsh for ‘estuary’ which can be seen from the dining room.

Chef Paul Owen oversees the restaurant kitchen and is inspired by the region: seafood from Milford Haven, Welsh lamb, beef and game, fresh eggs from nearby Llanybri, ales from Carmarthenshire breweries and, when available, coracle-caught Sewin fished from the Towy.

Pantyrathro, Llansteffan Carmarthenshire SA33 5AJ T: 01267 241515 E: info@ mansionhousellansteffan.co.uk

mansionhousellansteffan.co.uk

Newbridge on Usk | Restaurant with Rooms

South Wales Usk

The Newbridge on Usk is part of the Celtic Collection which is better known as Celtic Manor. This small, riverside inn is a restaurant with rooms and benefits from being small and cosy and yet part of the bigger group. There’s dining inside and out with vegetables from the kitchen garden and meat, fish and game from the wider Wales community.

The river Usk flows from the heart of the Brecon Beacons eventually reaching Newport. The Newbridge on Usk is situated on one of its most charming reaches. Coldra Woods The Usk Valley Newport South Wales NP18 1HQ

celtic-manor.com

Palé Hall | Hotel

North Wales Bala

Almost at the headwaters of the River Dee, which flows northwards eventually reaching Chester and the North Sea, is Palé Hall. This grand, historic, high Victorian mansion has an idyllic woodland garden rolling down to the banks of the river and spectacular Snowdonia National Park is on the doorstep.

The fine dining restaurant is overseen by chef Gareth Stevenson who has gone out of his way to build relationships with local farmers, growers, fishermen, food producers and suppliers which ultimately means that the great delicacies of Wales are represented on the menu. Game is no exception and the dining room is everything you’d expect of a house of this stature.

palehall.co.uk

Palé Estate Llandderfel Bala LL23 7PS T: 01678 530285 E: enquiries@palehall.co.uk

Park House | Restaurant

South Wales Cardiff

Park House Restaurant is housed in a stunning Gothic style mansion house located in the heart of Cardiff’s old district. The property was built in 1874 by the wealthy Marquess of Bute, who commissioned the first of the great docks, which transformed Cardiff. The Park House marries the best of France with the best of Wales and has a celebrated cellar that can offer multiple different wines to pair with different courses. The menu is more fine dining than casual but top Welsh ingredients, including game, feature throughout. 20 Park Place Cardiff CF10 3DQ T: 029 2022 4343 E: enquiries@ parkhouserestaurant.co.uk