A Woodland Feast with Nomadic x Marks & Spencer: Music, Fire, and a Feast Among the Trees

There are evenings when the forest itself feels like a living theatre – when moonlight becomes a spotlight, shadows sway like dancers, and every breath of wind carries whispers of something magical. Our latest woodland feast with Marks & Spencer was such an evening: an intoxicating blend of fire, flavour, music, and art that felt as though it had stepped straight from the pages of The Master and Margarita.

The Music of the Forest

The evening began in a secluded woodland glade, where acoustic music floated through the trees, wrapping itself around the guests like warm silk. Models and fashion influencers, dressed in the spirit of the forest, wandered through dappled paths, foraging the edible landscape – wild herbs, delicate petals, and leaves that spoke of the season. It felt as if nature herself was crafting the menu, one handful of green at a time.

A Feast by Firelight

As twilight fell and the first stars pierced the canopy, Nomadic’s in-house chefs gathered around the fire, their movements choreographed like a ritual. The feast began with delicate canapés – a jewel-like beetroot tartare kissed with smoke and brightened by pickled radishes, followed by bowls of chilled lovage soup, its grassy notes lifted with kohlrabi and a drizzle of parsley oil. Guests tore into warm Kenny breads, perfect for scooping up silky fire-roasted sweet potato dip enriched with tahini, while platters of grilled grelot and romesco, sprinkled with almonds, gave way to crisp cucumber salad, bursting with pomegranate and herbs.

The starter was a dish of summer’s abundance: grilled peaches caramelised over flames, paired with creamy burrata, curls of cured ham, cherry tomatoes, and crunchy croutons. For the main course, the fire reached its crescendo. Venison haunch, marinated in green confit garlic harissa, emerged from the flames rich and aromatic, alongside coal-roasted onions, smashed potatoes with thyme, and a bitter-sweet chicory salad. For those seeking something different, there was roasted pumpkin with spiced lentil stew and king oyster mushrooms, or a planked trout, its smoky flesh melting alongside braised cabbage and a roasted red pepper vinaigrette.

An Edible Work of Art

And then, the finale – a dessert that was less a dish and more a performance. Grilled apricots, still warm from the fire, were flambéed before being set upon a table-wide canvas of deconstructed cheesecake, granola, and herbs, transforming dessert into a shared, tactile work of art.

This was more than just a woodland feast. It was a symphony of forest, flame, and flavour – a story told beneath the stars.

If you wish to step into this world of firelight and wild abundance, we invite you to join us at our next event. Book your place by emailing enquiries@nomadichotel.org.