The dinners are set for Saturday February 12 and Valentine’s Day, Monday February 14 at 7.00pm in the Spice Grove area of the majestic Rainforest Biome.
Upon arrival, diners will be welcomed with a glass of Eden sparkling brut, produced at the nearby Knightor vineyard, before taking to their seats for a locally-sourced, three course set-menu featuring many novel ingredients.
Among of the produce on offer is the loose-leafed cabbage cavolo nero, red kale, rainbow chard, the root vegetable salsify and the large, fragrant citron.
More familiar ingredients being harvested at Eden for the dinners include Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, lemons and a variety of fresh herbs.
Some of the produce has been grown in a vegetable patch located just outside the Rainforest Biome and other items are being sourced directly from the Mediterranean Biome, including the citron, which resembles a giant lemon.
Jake Hawke, one of Eden’s Living Landscape Technicians, is responsible for growing, maintaining and harvesting the produce in the outdoor vegetable patch.
Jake said: “Visitors to Eden are often surprised at the volume and variation of crops you can grow in this country over the winter.
“These particular crops were planted at the end of summer and early autumn and have thrived particularly well due to a lack of frosts and the location of the patch being under a canopy between the Biomes, which provides a little extra warmth for them.
Jake added: “It’s fantastic to be growing ingredients that will be served up in the Rainforest Biome as part of the Valentine’s menu. You can’t beat the taste of freshly harvested produce.”
The inviting full menu opens with a Cornish deli charcuterie board or antipasti board to share. The options for the main course consist of goat cheese tart, monkfish wrapped in pancetta or corn-fed free-range chicken breast. This is followed by a choice of rhubarb panna cotta or decadent chocolate torte for dessert.
The evening will end with a coffee or ‘Love’ tea and a delicious selection of petits fours before diners receive a token Valentine's gift from Eden.
Relaxing and atmospheric entertainment throughout the evening will be provided by the 4tissimo string quartet.
Mike Greer, Eden’s Head Chef, said: “It is wonderful to be able to include some of Eden’s home-grown produce as a part of our dishes and demonstrate its journey from plough to plate.
“Eighty-five per cent of the ingredients used at Eden are locally sourced from within Cornwall. Using our own harvested produce alongside these ingredients is just one way we are working towards becoming a climate positive organisation by 2030.”
Bookings for the Valentine’s Dinner at Eden are now open and a table for two is available for £120. This event usually sells out so early booking is advised.
For more details and to book a table visit www.edenproject.com.
