MasterChef star Christian Day to join Northampton food and drink experts in ‘social isolation supper club’

A trio of Northamptonshire food and drink experts are launching a ‘social isolation supper club’ as an alternative to eating out during the lockdown.

Former Saints player and MasterChef semi-finalist, Christian Day, has teamed up with James Peck from Burnt Lemon Chefs and Benjamin Jelley of Jelley’s Organic vodka, to give people something to look forward to while they stay at home.

As part of the club, virtual dinner guests will be able to order a box containing a three-course meal to reheat, as well as the ingredients to make vodka-based cocktails to match each course.

Diners will then be able to share their thoughts on the meal and ask questions, as Christian, James, Benjamin and special guest MasterChef judge William Sitwell, as they host an Instagram live on Saturday April 18.

James, who himself recently starred in BBC series The Chef’s Brigade, said: “We’ve prepared a meal that will feel you are eating top class restaurant food in the comfort of your own home.

“We’ll guide people through how to reheat it and how to plate it and dress the dish to a restaurant standard.

“We’re delighted to have Christian and William on board. Christian absolutely smashed it on MasterChef and he’s done Northamptonshire proud.

“William is a greatly admired figure within the industry and he has done so much to put our county on the culinary map.

“As two young guys working as start-ups in the hospitality sector we wanted to show a bit of innovation in the current climate.

“It’s going to be a great night, it’s something a bit different and will be a lot of fun which is what we all need at the minute.”

The meal features dry-aged sirloin carpaccio, beer-braised ox cheek and the Burnt Lemon signature dessert of milk chocolate, olive and dulce de leche.

Benjamin, brand founder of Brixworth-based Jelley’s Organic Vodka, said: “With the country still very much in the grip of a lockdown, we know there’s many people out there feeling isolated and lonely.

“We are all starting to miss friends and family and want to get together for a meal and a good time but it’s so important that we keep following the guidelines to stay at home, protect the NHS and ultimately save lives.

“This virtual supper club gives people a chance to enjoy high quality food prepared by one of Northamptonshire’s best chefs, make some cocktails and have a chat with Christian and William who have kindly agreed to join us for the night.”

The event will be shared through a live Instagram Story on @burntlemonchef and @jelleys_organic_vodka from 7pm on Saturday, April 18.

The boxes are available to order for £45 from the Jelley’s website.