Restaurant Interlude at historic Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens near Horsham in West Sussex has won a Michelin Star for the fourth consecutive year.
Chef Jean Delport:
“We are thrilled to receive this prestigious recognition from Michelin for the fourth consecutive year. Interlude connects lovers of fine dining with the very essence of Leonardslee, one of England’s finest woodland gardens, unspoiled and carefully curated for over 200 years.
“Our seasonal, multi-course tasting menu follows a hunter-gatherer concept, featuring food that is foraged, cultivated, and raised on the estate or nearby. It is designed to provide an intimate dining experience, akin to a small, exclusive dinner party within the estate’s Italianate mansion house.”
As one of the first UK restaurants with its own vineyard to win the prestigious award, Interlude offers luxury accommodation, providing guests with an unforgettable dining and overnight stay experience, says owner Penny Streeter OBE.
The restaurant’s tasting menu is inspired by the Grade I Listed woodland gardens, with ingredients either foraged or grown on the 240-acre Leonardslee estate. Other produce is sourced from carefully selected local farms. Restaurant Interlude is open for dinner from Thursday to Sunday weekly, offering ten tables. Diners can enjoy breathtaking views of the gardens and vineyard, planted in 2018. Leonardslee and neighbouring Mannings Heath Estate cultivate 72,000 vines across 15 hectares as part of the Benguela Collection vineyards and hospitality group in the UK and South Africa.
Grade II Listed Leonardslee House, built in an Italianate style in 1855, features ten elegant en-suite bedrooms on the first floor, accessible via the grand hallway and galleried landing, which is illuminated by natural light from an original domed atrium.
Owner Penny Streeter OBE and Executive Chef Jean Delport, from South Africa, opened the restaurant in October 2018. At 33 years old, Delport was only the second South African chef to win a Michelin Star for his restaurant and one of the youngest recipients of the famous accolade. Jean leads a kitchen staff of seven at the site.
The seasonal menu may include dishes such as estate rabbit with winter purslane, hogweed cider, and charcoal; fallow deer with local braai and sour raspberry; or oysters with foraged greens and juniper.
Guests arriving at Restaurant Interlude are welcomed in the grand hallway with music from a self-playing piano and drinks in the bar. They are then seated together around 7pm in the restaurant, enjoying views across the expansive gardens in the steep valley below, as well as east and south towards the South Downs. Delport’s expertise in pairing innovative tasting menus with fine wines enables guests to enjoy a selection of vintages from the owner’s Benguela Cove vineyard in Hermanus, South Africa, as well as from other renowned estates.
Executive Chef Jean Delport previously worked with owner Penny Streeter at her restaurant in Somerset West, Cape Town, for several years. With a strong background in classical French and English cooking and multiple seasons in Ireland, Delport trained and won awards at the prestigious Zevenwacht Chef School in South Africa. Renowned for his innovative approach, Delport continuously refines his menus and choice of ingredients.
Chef Ruan Pretorius, formerly head chef at the acclaimed Terroir restaurant in the Cape Winelands of South Africa, joined Jean Delport in the UK to take on the exciting new challenge at Restaurant Interlude.
Pretorius brings with him a wealth of experience and an impressive culinary background. Together, Delport and Pretorius continue to push the boundaries of fine dining, crafting innovative dishes that celebrate the unique character of the Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens estate.
Restaurant Interlude’s success is a testament to the passion and dedication of its team. As they celebrate their fourth consecutive Michelin Star, they remain committed to providing guests with an exceptional dining experience, showcasing the best of the estate and the local region.
For more information, to make a reservation, or to stay up to date with the latest news and events, visit www.restaurant-interlude.co.uk.
