Harewood Food and Drink Project will return in September with the first instalment of its ‘Dining Room’ event series since lockdown.

The series will run over four nights on September 11, 12, 25, and 26, starting at 7pm. Tickets for the full nine course tasting menu cost £80 each and can be bought at https://www.exploretock.com/harewood/

The menu has been designed by HFDP’s executive chef Josh Whitehead. It prominently features produce from Harewood, with around 80 per cent of the ingredients sourced from the estate.

Drinks will be available to buy on the night and have been specially designed to enhance the flavours of the food.

The menu sees the culmination of a series of techniques and tests that Josh has been trialling since being appointed as executive chef and will give diners a “taste of Harewood”.

The menu features beef and venison from the estate’s livestock, as well as fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices and edible flowers from its historic walled garden. It also includes a range of wild foods foraged around the 4500 acre estate.

The event will take place at the newly refurbished “Hovels” after it underwent a major redevelopment earlier this year.

The Hovels is an old stable block built in the late 1700’s around the same time as Harewood House. It was designed by Robert Carr, the same architect who designed the Grade I listed stately home.

The building has been put to a number of different uses over the years - including as a house, dog kennels, stables, and hunting lodges. It is now the venue for the food and drink project, and is also available for private rental for weddings, corporate hire and private functions.

HFDP Managing Director, Eddy Lascelles said: “We’re so excited to be back doing what we love, bringing people together to enjoy great food and drink in a relaxed environment.

“When we set up HFDP we wanted to create menus which were built around produce sourced from the estate. We think this is the closest we’ve ever come to achieving our zero miles food aim with every course heavily featuring produce sourced from Harewood. “We’re blessed with access to exceptional quality produce and working with such a talented chef as Josh it’s exciting to see his ideas developing of making best use of it on his menus. We think diners will love this tasting menu and are in for a right treat.

“During the lockdown we launched our takeaway bistro service for people to finish off and enjoy in their own home,we were really blown away by the support for it, but for us we really love bringing people together to enjoy Josh’s food in Harewood’s spaces.”

Josh Whitehead, said:“I’m really excited about the menu for this, it’s great to be back hosting events for the first time since February.

“My team and I have been quietly plotting and planning the food for our return after lockdown. Having had so much time on our hands, we’ve planned this menu to represent the best the season has to offer.”

Organisers say every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of diners and staff. They are working to a vastly reduced capacity and all staff have received training specific to Covid-19.