Yemi Adelekan is a food writer and blogger who was a semi-finalist in the 2022 series of BBC TV’s Masterchef competition.

Yemi writes for the Stray Ferret about her love of the area’s food and shares cooking tips. 

There are evenings that stay with you long after they are gone. My visit to The Orchard at Grantley Hall, near Ripon, was one of those – a night of sparkle, indulgence and that unmistakable Moët & Chandon magic. The newly reimagined space is part of a special autumn and winter collaboration with the iconic champagne house, and it’s every bit as glamorous as it sounds.

Set within Grantley Hall’s stunning grounds, The Orchard now feels like stepping into a festive cocoon of warmth and style with rich red, indulgent cream and green colours. Think twinkling lights, soft textures, elegant décor and a sense of celebration that hums quietly in the background. It’s the kind of place where you can raise a glass of champagne and forget, just for a while, about the chill outside.

Head chef Craig Atchinson has put together a menu that’s indulgent, comforting and perfectly suited to a glass (or two) of bubbly. It’s elegant food, but not the sort that takes itself too seriously. Every dish told a story, and every bite felt considered.

Starters

I started with two starters that really set the tone. First up was the burrata with salt-baked beetroot and squash, roasted hazelnuts, molasses and a sherry vinegar dressing. It was as pretty as it was delicious. The creamy burrata melted into the sweet, earthy beetroot, while the roasted hazelnuts added crunch and depth. It was autumn on a plate – colourful, comforting and just a little indulgent.

Next came the devilled Whitby crab and salmon fish cake with celeriac and apple remoulade, dill mayonnaise and a drizzle of dill oil. The outside was beautifully crisp, giving way to soft, delicately spiced crab and salmon inside. The sharpness of the Granny Smith apple lifted the whole dish and gave it a playful edge. It was one of those starters that makes you stop talking mid-sentence just to savour it.

When I saw the vibrant green oil drizzled around the fish cake, I told myself there was no way I would use it all but I soon found myself using the last bite of fish cake to mop up the last drop of oil.

Main

For mains, I went all out and the lobster dish had me at ‘hello’. The lobster risotto was rich, creamy and full of flavour, each portion made with a whole lobster – yes, a whole lobster! If I’m being picky, I’d have liked just a touch more salt, but it was still wonderfully decadent.

The grilled sea bass was another accomplished dish – marinated in garlic and olive oil, perfectly cooked with crisp skin and tender flesh. It came with a mixed bean salad, wood-fired peppers, red onion and tomato salsa, adding freshness and vibrancy to the plate. I have since made pan-fried sea bass with garlic and olive oil, a testament to the dish staying with me.

There’s also a tempting grill selection for those who like something heartier – think Himalayan salt-aged beef, whole grilled Whitby lobster, and even a plant-based burger for those after a lighter bite.

Dessert

Then came dessert – and honestly, The Orchard saved the best for last. The Velvet Gift, created by Grantley Hall’s executive pastry chef, Stefan Rose, looked like something you’d see in a jewellery display. Inside were layers of dark berries, almond genoise, raspberry and champagne gelée, and a spiced vanilla bean mousse. It was refined, elegant and just the right amount of festive.

The second dessert, a Madagascan vanilla crême brûlée with a s’mores cookie, was the kind of pudding that makes you grin like a child. The thin caramelised top cracked perfectly under the spoon, giving way to smooth, vanilla-rich custard. The stretchy marshmallow cookie on the side added a nostalgic, comforting touch – a clever balance between luxury and playfulness.

To drink, diners can choose from a selection of Moët & Chandon champagnes, wine, spirit and bespoke cocktails, with low and no-alcohol versions available. I went for the virgin hibiscus bellini, which was light, floral and beautifully refreshing – proof that non-alcoholic drinks can still feel special.

The service was spot-on – warm, polished and friendly without being overbearing or stuffy. You could tell the team were proud to be part of something special, and that sense of care shone through in every detail.

The experience

The Moët & Chandon at The Orchard experience runs throughout the autumn and winter months, bringing a little sparkle to Yorkshire. It’s perfect for festive gatherings, date nights, dinners and Sunday lunches, or you could just stop by for drinks. Reservations are recommended for food but you can wander in for a drink on the cosy chairs that got me instantly dreaming of changing my home couches.

The live music on the night I was there was fabulous and the tunes made me want to kick off my shoes but I had to make do with bobbing my head to the music and singing along during the various courses.

If you’re after an experience that feels celebratory without being pretentious – where the food is as beautiful as the surroundings – The Orchard at Grantley Hall should be at the top of your list. It’s elegant, inviting and just the right side of indulgent.

And as I left, I couldn’t help but think: if autumn had a flavour, it might just taste like champagne, lobster risotto and crême brûlée under the twinkling lights of The Orchard.

Stepping into the Orchard was like stepping in to a time capsule where one could forget the outside world and just be in a space that inspires fun, joy, pleasure and a sort of ‘carefree-ness’ that one often dreams of, but is never easily realised.