Thank you, everyone, for weighing in with your choices for the Come and Dine at Highclere dinner party. You were all most eloquent in expressing your choices, and I very much appreciate the input.
The most popular choice by far was Cobalt #2.
Cobalt Service Plates by Royal Doulton; Soup Bowl by Minton; Soup Cup Royal Gold by Royal Doulton
It’s shown with the Royal Doulton dinner late on the left, plus fairly elaborate cobalt Venetian goblets.
The soup cup in the Gold and White combination also had some fans, and I may well use it for the soup course, rather than the plainer Royal Gold one from the cobalt combination . The dinner plate in Gold and White is actually the same pattern as the cobalt one. I bought them at two completely separate times, but it just worked out that way. The little Royal Stafford side plate shown above lis the perfect size to hold a champagne cup and it will be used for the dessert course, which will feature a parfait.
Speaking of which, after much debate, I’ve also settled on a menu which features some of the recipes from At Home at Highclere (the ones in italics) and some from my own repertoire. The choices reflect traditional formal dinner items, with a local ingredient twist. What do you think?
Amazon.com has been most helpful in providing Downton Abbey worthy attire. I had some challenge figuring out which vendors shipped to Canada, but with luck, will have some options from which to choose by mid-week. Interest in Downton Abbey seems to have spawned an entire industry in period-wear and there was an astonishingly large collection from which to choose. I went back and forth between images of Cora (the most age-appropriate character for me) and the rather dashing options available. Also, I’m going to be cooking while wearing the thing, so that should provide some humorous moments as the apron is donned in the kitchen and tossed off before I once again take my place at the table. A formal dinner party in a “servantless household” as Julia Child described it is not quite the same thing as the Crawley’s experience!
Thank you again for all your help. It’s going to be a busy week! I look forward to sharing some pictures as I get the flowers chosen and arranged, the food preparations underway and the table set. Exciting!
I’m sharing this post with Between Naps on the Porch.
Good luck in the contest. Cannot wait to see the pictures. I know the whole evening will be fabulous! Cheers
Thanks Lynda. Shannon has been a tower of strength in all the arrangements, of course! “Mrs. Brown, you have a lovely daughter!”
Your menu looks wonderful. Six courses allows you to use and showcase lots of china.
My thoughts exactly! Hehe. My husband and I used to to go Blantyre occasionally, and they used antique china & crystal. I would always bludgeoned him into having the tasting menu so I would get the maximum number of changes of tableware, even if he did sometimes have to eat chicken!
That is funny. I am guessing that he was willing.
Beautiful photography. I love the dishes and glasses. So elegant.
That’s very kind, Thelma! Thanks so much 🙂
Sounds scrumptious. Bill wants to know if it’s black tie or white tie. Enjoy the extravaganza and take lots of pictures. We’ll be thinking of you on the night and toasting to all you royals!
Mostly white tie. We so wish you guys could join us. It would make the evening perfect! Hope you’re having fun. See you soon.
Countdown to Downton!
I am biting at the bit!
Traveling to Toronto from Boston to experience Helen Kain at her best – pre and post festivities!
… and to sip out of those exquisite Venetian goblets!
We’re pretty excited here, too, Kathi! Can’t wait to see you guys. Let the games begin!
Ms Lain,
That thistle shaped goblet is intriguing. What wine is served in it?
Elizabeth Speicher
We use them for port, which I believe was the intended purpose. I ended up with four glasses at each place setting yesterday (the Venetian cobalt, a water glass, red and white wine) and am still debating whether or not to add these. The table is pretty crowded as it is! One doesn’t wish to be “too much”.
Oh my gosh Helen! I didn’t find out about this contest until it was almost over last year, and I’m thrilled to see someone who actually participated! All your choices are incredibly gorgeous! I’ve really got to wrap up my lunch hour here, but I’ll be back for more! Thanks again!
Thanks, Barb. It was a lot f work, but we had a really good time. Have you seen the new Downton movie yet?