FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The Francis Hotel Bath has a character and style that exudes a warm welcome. The hotel has 98 sumptuous bedrooms with vibrant interiors that will transport you back to the Regency period.

This festive season, hotel guests can enjoy a seasonal menu of experiences to create memories that will stay with them forever. As well as festive roasts, there are luxurious afternoon teas with a seasonal tipple, five mouthwatering courses in the hotel’s restaurant on Christmas Day, and on that day children aged 3 and under can eat for free.

Francis Hotel, Queen Square, Bath; francishotel.com

With beautiful Japanese dishes and a selection of unique festive cocktails, Robun can deliver a Christmas celebration that will live long in the memory. Upstairs in the Kanagaki Suite, the restaurant can host parties up to 40 seated or 50 standing guests. Choose from the Japanese Sharing Plates buffet menu, the Three-Course Set Menu and the A Taste of Robun menu. robun.co.uk

All About The Cooks, an online marketplace which enables talented home cooks to sell their food to local people, is expanding into Bath. The start-up, founded by Bristol Food Connections chair Claire Ladkin, aims to provide authentic and wholesome food for family mealtimes, dinner parties and celebrations.

Claire explains “The idea is to connect with the person who prepares your food and get a real sense of belonging to your local community. It’s a sharp contrast to fast food takeaways and ‘one-tap’ apps that can feel faceless.”

Bath residents who would like to turn their passion for cooking into a side hustle are encouraged to register their interest on the All About the Cooks website, while those looking to try delicious home-cooked food can subscribe to their newsletter and get £15 off their first order when they launch. allaboutthecooks.co.uk/bath/

International dessert franchise Heavenly Desserts has opened its new store in Bath so that local dessert connoisseurs have the chance to experience its exciting new menu in a new luxury establishment. Heavenly Desserts’ visitors can choose from an innovative new range of dishes, such as the exciting ‘Grow Up’ cheesecake Oreo pot, a selection of delicious non-alcoholic drinks, as well as signature waffles, croffles and cheesecakes in all-new flavours.

Following an exciting period of growth, the Bath store brings the brand to nearly 50 restaurants across the UK, with Heavenly Desserts’ first international store opening in Canada in October.

Yousif Aslam, co-founder and managing director at Heavenly Desserts, said: “We are so pleased to be launching Heavenly Desserts in the beautiful and historic city of Bath. The city’s British heritage and style matches the luxury nature of our brand and we to be able to showcase our brand-new menu to the city’s dessert lovers.”

The new store will be open from 12–11pm Monday to Thursday and 12pm–midnight Friday to Sunday. Heavenly Desserts, Ground Floor 7–9 Lower Borough Walls, Bath.

Saffron Milk Cake from Heavenly Desserts