Company of Cooks to reopen the Orangery at Kensington Palace

Company of Cooks has partnered with Historic Royal Palaces to reopen the Orangery at Kensington Palace in London next month following an extensive restoration.

The restaurant at the 18th century estate is set to relaunch on 1 May with a new lunch and afternoon tea menu inspired by Queen Anne’s greenhouse.

The space is currently being redesigned by StudioKKD, which has incorporated Verdure tapestry wallpaper by Cole & Son and velvet fabric designs by GP & J Baker.

Example lunch dishes include Wye Valley asparagus with pink grapefruit and pomegranate and London smoked salmon paired with capers and pickled shallot rings, while the afternoon tea offering features sweet treats such as Castle Farm lavender éclair and traditional scones served with Cornish clotted cream and blackcurrant preserve.

The property will only use British meats and cheeses and adhere to the Good Fish Guide for responsible seafood sourcing.

Karen Poynter, group chef at Company of Cooks, said: “By supporting local growers and producers, we not only ensure the highest quality ingredients for our dishes but also contribute to the sustainability of our local food ecosystem.”

Ian Cuerden, head of admissions, retail and catering sales at Historic Royal Palaces, added: “A sumptuous menu inspired by the history of Kensington Palace and seasonal British fare, served in this architecturally stunning setting, will create a unique and elevated dining experience for our guests and we look forward to them enjoying the space once more.”

The Orangery was built by Nicholas Hawksmoor, who was known for his English Baroque architecture, in 1704.

It was commissioned by Queen Anne as a greenhouse for her orange trees.

Company of Cooks has been part of CH&CO since March 2023.