A LANDMARK 12th century hotel near Coventry and Rugby took centre stage in a hit BBC cookery show this week.
Contestants in the Celebrity MasterChef Semi Finals embarked on a medieval cooking challenge at Coombe Abbey Hotel, in an episode screened on Monday (December 8).
The celebrities were challenged to prepare a feast for 80 medieval enthusiasts at the former Cistercian monastery – which itself has been hosting Medieval banquets for over 50 years.
Working in teams, they were given three hours to impress judges Grace Dent and John Torode by creating a lavish spread featuring meat, fish and vegetarian mains, plus a dessert, using traditional ingredients such as venison, pork, trout, cod, root vegetables, pearl barley and dark ales.
Ron Terry, Group Operations Director at No Ordinary Hospitality, which operates Coombe Abbey Hotel, said: “It was great fun hosting Celebrity MasterChef at Coombe Abbey and even better that the episode shines a spotlight on one of our best loved dining traditions at the hotel.
“We’re excited for people who know and love Coombe to see it on one of the nation’s favourite shows and for new audiences to get a glimpse of the magic of the venue.”
Coombe Abbey dates back to 1150 when it was founded as a Cistercian monastery.
It would later become the home of royalty when Princess Elizabeth – daughter of James I – stayed at Coombe in the 17th century. One of the hotel’s Grand Feature bedchambers is named after the princess, who was also linked to the gunpowder plot of 1605 when conspirators planned to kidnap her and place her on the throne as a ‘puppet’ queen before they were foiled.
The property was acquired by the Craven family in 1622 and it remained in their hands for around 300 years, during which time the gardens were transformed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown into the stunning grounds that remain today. It is celebrating 30 years since it was converted to a hotel in 1995.
The episode of Celebrity MasterChef which was shot at Coombe Abbey is available on BBC iPlayer.
