Grand Chapitre

59th Grand Chapitre, Brighton 4-7 October 2018

 

Our 59th Grand Chapître will be held in sunny Sussex in the Regency resort of Brighton, home to the Prince Regent’s stunning Royal Pavilion. Our base for the weekend will be on the seafront in the recently renovated Grand Hotel. This has recently been beautifully restored and modernised to regain its position as the premier hotel on the Sussex coast. The programme will take advantage of being close to much of the English sparkling wine production.

 

The event starts on Thursday evening with an informal fish dinner at The Jetty inside the Brighton Harbour Hotel. The skilled hand of Michelin-starred Alex Aitken will be obvious there. We have two options for Friday trips: the first will go to Ridgeview Winery and then on to the famous Bluebell Railway for a steam hauled round trip from Horsted Keynes which will include lunch on board the Wealden Rambler. The second option will first visit the historic town of Lewes where there will be visits to Anne of Cleeves House and the Castle – a fabulous view from the top - before going on to join the other group for the trip on the Wealden Rambler.

 

Friday dinner will be held at South Lodge Hotel near Horsham. Under the baton of Maître Hôtelier David Connell this superb country hotel has held a Michelin star for the Pass restaurant for a number of years.

 

On Saturday the Induction ceremony will be held in the Grand Hotel. Then attendees walk across the promenade for the reception on a flight in the British Airways i360. We will all gently ascend to 450 feet in the glass pod for a panoramic view of the coastline accompanied by some English Fizz.

 

Other options include a private guided visit to Arundel Castle including lunch. This spectacular castle sits on a bluff above the town and has been home to the Dukes of Norfolk for centuries. Another option, a must for railway enthusiasts, is a buffet lunch in the Brighton Toy Museum under the guiding hand of Trustees Chairman, Chevalier Vic Michel and his team.

 

The Gala Dinner will be held in the Empress Suite of the Grand Hotel prepared by Maître Rôtisseur Alan White.

 

On Sunday, two special events, first a private visit to Nyetimber winery at West Chiltington with guided tours of the vineyard followed by lunch in the White Barn.

 

Then the final event is a private guided tour of the spectacular Brighton Pavilion followed by dinner in the Banqueting Room.

 

Programme

Download a copy of the Grand Chapitre Programme

Register and pay online