Crafted, a wellness focussed members’ club and boutique hotel set within the Sussex countryside, surrounded by lakes, woodland and beautifully designed spaces. Named one of the Sunday Times best places to stay in 2026 Crafted has quickly become known for creating unique experiences that bring together food, nature and craft.
For this event, Crafted welcomed Simon Stallard, the chef behind Cornwall’s much-loved Hidden Hut. Known for championing local produce and open-fire cooking, Simon’s style is refreshingly unpretentious, placing equal importance on atmosphere, storytelling and bringing people together around simply great food.
Guests enjoyed a menu inspired by the South Coast, cooked in the spirit of the open-fire feasts that have become synonymous with the Hidden Hut. Guests were able to watch Simon at work in the outdoor open kitchen, cooking over fire and showcasing his signature, ingredient-led style, with much of the produce sourced directly from Crafted’s own kitchen garden.
The evening began with a selection of substantial canapés, including champagne-sprayed BBQ hand-dived scallops, Tamworth pork belly croquettes, crispy filo with Brighton Blue and Crafted honey, and grilled vegetable bruschetta finished with chilli oil.
The main feast centred around beautifully cooked Pevensey sirloin of beef served with salsa verde, accompanied by crushed Jersey Royals, blackened Tenderstem broccoli, smoked roast red peppers with oregano and lemon, and a vibrant summer salad harvested from the garden plot.
Even with the heavens opening, moving the Forest Feast from the woodland canopy to Crafted’s lakeside terrace, Falcon Enamelware quietly brought the spirit of outdoor cooking to life.
