Food and Drink Experience

A good cup of tea is as much a part of contemporary British culture as a trip to the local curry house. Everyone loves a cuppa, but how much do you actually know about what you're drinking? Has your tea gone through the 'cut, tear, curl' process or the orthodox process? And just what is the difference between black tea and oolong tea? Who better to explain all than Alex Probyn, a master tea blender who has tasted over a million cups of tea... and counting! (Not bad considering that the average person will drink 50,000 cups in their lifetime.) After talking about the history, origin, manufacture and different styles of tea, you'll taste a combination of up to 24 teas, including white, green, oolong, black, herbal and teas of the world. Alex will teach you the art of slurping and spitting (all in the best possible taste) and then you'll get the chance to put your new-found skills into practice by creating your very own blend each to take home with you. Click Here for More Details...

Whisky has a certain mystique surrounding it (which is a nice way of saying that lots of people get very pretentious about it) but if you enjoy a wee dram now and then, and you want to learn a bit more without drowning in jargon, then this is the experience for you. You'll taste six excellent whiskies in turn, guided by your experienced host, who'll help you discover and appreciate the diversity of whisky and the different characters of different types. You'll also receive a whisky book (giving you 50 tips) to take home. Additionally you will be issued with vouchers (valid up to six months) to allow you to come back another day and explore Vinopolis at your own pace. It's a whole centre dedicated to the world of wine and classic drinks, with lots to learn and lots more to taste - you'll taste five excellent wines on your return. All in all a very pleasant way to spend a day. Click Here for More Details...

From rural retreats to buzzing town centres, Thai treats to traditional British tucker, Marriott offer restaurants around the UK and the rest of the world that can cater for your mood as well as your tastebuds. With this experience you can choose the restaurant and style of cuisine that most appeals to you, then relax and enjoy Marriott's fabulous hospitality. Each meal for two voucher allows you to choose three courses from the a la carte menu and includes unlimited non-alcoholic drinks. Not only does food taste better when it is cooked by someone else, it also tastes better when it's been paid for by someone else, so sit back and relax as even your tip is covered! Click Here for More Details...

If you're partial to a tipple and want to see the processes behind the art of winemaking yourself, what nicer experience than this wine tour indulgence? Denbies Wine Estate is the UK's largest vineyard and is set in beautiful Surrey countryside. Make yourself comfortable in the circular cinema to watch and learn about the whole winemaking process, from planting to harvesting. Then take your seat on their indoor train and enter a working winery to see the journey of a picked grape to the bottling of the finished product. Taste three different varieties of wine when you go into the cellars. As you sit back in comfort on a train tour of the vineyard, your guide gives you a full commentary on the history of the estate. Your experience includes a tasty two course lunch with wine and coffee in the Gallery restaurant. To top it off, a bottle of Denbies Wine Estate sparkling wine and an informative book of wine tasting tips are all yours to take home and enjoy. Click Here for More Details...

Calling all chocolate lovers and their friends! This is a dream gift experience for two, for those with a sweet tooth and a love for Belgian chocolate! Click Here for More Details...

Calling all chocolate lovers and their friends! This is a dream gift experience for two, for those with a sweet tooth and a love for Belgian chocolate! Click Here for More Details...

The Rye Lodge Hotel is located in the Ancient Cinque Port town of Rye in East Sussex. You will be dining in the very popular Terrace Room Restaurant, which provides the perfect ambiance for an enjoyable evening. Dinner will be served by candlelight with a chilled bottle of champagne. The efficient and friendly staff will ensure that your every need is attended to. Following your meal you can have tea or coffee with chocolate mints. The delightful atmosphere of the elegant restaurant will provide you with a thoroughly memorable experience. Location: East Sussex (South East) Click Here for More Details...

Casanova called it the 'elixir of love'. French doctors used to prescribe it to women with broken hearts. Scientists say it stimulates the release of endorphins, the 'happy hormones'. Need we say more? This fabulous chocolate workshop begins with an informative talk on the history of chocolate, either by a master chocolatier, who served as the Head Pastry Chef at the Ritz Hotel in both London and Paris, or by an experienced chocolatier. Sample the chocolate fountain before you move onto the creative part of the workshop, making truffle fillings, then dipping your truffles into Belgian chocolate and decorating them with a variety of toppings and coverings. As a delicious memento of your experience you'll take home between 40 and 50 Belgian chocolates each, all wrapped, designed and made by you, to share with friends and family - or to save as a special treat. Click Here for More Details...

Learn about the history of chocolate before the chocolatier takes you on a journey to create a filling for your truffles before dipping them into Belgian chocolate and then decorating your masterpieces. Great fun for all! Location: London,Bournemouth (South East), Warwickshie (Midlands) Click Here for More Details...

Malts produced on the island of Islay include some of the smokiest, with a characteristic range of medicinal, iodine, marine and sea air notes. However, Islay’s seven distilleries span a full range of peating levels. Your whisky sommelier will guide you through tutorial, demonstration and the all-important tasting sessions to learn how whiskies are made, the disparity in cost and how to appreciate their individual flavours. The Albannach masterclass is the perfect gift for all whisky lovers. Location: London (South East) Click Here for More Details...

Whether you’re interested in smoking cheese, meats or vegetables, this is the perfect course for you. Using a variety of interesting smokers, you will spend the day learning hints and tips for smoking your own food perfectly in the relaxing setting of Castle Court, just on the edge of the Lake District. At the end of the day you’ll get to sample all the delicious food you’ve smoked, and will even get to take some home with you. Location: Cumbria (North) Click Here for More Details...

Your experience includes entrance to Kensington Palace. Originally a private country house, the building was acquired by William III and Mary II in 1689 and was adapted for royal residence by Sir Christopher Wren. For the next 70 years the palace played host to the courts of William and Mary, Queen Anne, George I and George II. In the 19th century Kensington was the birthplace and childhood home of Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria) and Princess Diana occupied apartments in the north-west part of the palace from 1981 to 1997. Pick up an audio headset for your self-guided tour of the palace and you can follow that with tea at Fortnum and Mason. A selection of afternoon tea is served in the relaxed and elegant surroundings of St James' Restaurant along with traditional sandwiches, freshly baked scones and classic pastries. Click Here for More Details...

Shake up your cocktail mixing skills with some of the best bartenders in the business. Learn their recipes and secrets in the UK's leading bartender training academy. Click Here for More Details...

If you've never tasted hand-made chocolate created from the freshest ingredients before, then first and foremost you can expect this workshop to be a revelation to your taste-buds! Click Here for More Details...

Learn the art of the chocolatier and create your own delicacies on this great course held in either Manchester or London. The course offers superb training and a fascinating insight into the world of chocolate. You will have the opportunity to gain hands on experience in making exquisite chocolates (which you can take away with you at the end of your experience). Then, all you have to do is wow your friends with your new found skills! Location: London (South East) or Manchester (North) Click Here for More Details...