Company of Cooks is delighted to announce that in partnership with Historic Royal Palaces it will reopen the iconic restaurant, “The Orangery”, at Kensington Palace on 1 May. Historic Royal Palaces – the independent charity that cares for the public- facing State Apartments at Kensington Palace – has undertaken an extensive period of restoration at the Orangery. Situated within the picturesque grounds of Kensington Palace, the Orangery holds a rich history dating back to the 18th century, and its restoration signifies a renaissance of one of London’s most cherished architectural treasures and the opening of what is poised to become one of the city’s most sought after lunch and afternoon tea destination.
Elegant lunch and indulgent afternoon tea menus will be inspired by the opulence of Queen Anne’s greenhouse drawing from the Palace’s rich history, with signature dishes set to include Queen Victoria’s renowned Victoria sponge and ‘The Orange’ with orange sorbet, citrus salad and chocolate soil.
The lunch menu showcases modern, seasonal British fare, featuring exquisite starters such as Wye Valley asparagus with pink grapefruit, pomegranate and London smoked salmon paired with capers and pickled shallot rings. For mains, delight in dishes like Seared Chalk Stream trout with cauliflower cream, samphire, mussels, and lemon thyme dressing or savour the rich flavours of Palace pie, a hearty blend of braised lamb shoulder and beef rib served with Somerset cheddar mash.
The Royal Afternoon Tea is a truly regal indulgence, with a selection of delightful treats including Castle Farm lavender éclair; traditional scones served with Cornish clotted cream and blackcurrant preserve and pea, broad bean and tarragon quiche, to be enjoyed alongside Pimm’s or English sparkling wine. Young guests will be offered the Children’s Afternoon Tea featuring a variety of cakes, scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve.
Company of Cook’s commitment goes beyond taste, with sustainability at the heart of everything they do. “Our commitment to sustainability is ingrained in every aspect of our operations at the Orangery,” says Group Chef, Karen Poynter. “From reducing farm surplus with local growers to refusing airfreight for fresh produce, we prioritise our planet and our communities. With an exclusive reliance on only British meats and cheeses and adherence to the Good Fish Guide for responsible seafood sourcing, we are dedicated to making environmentally conscious choices.”
“We take pride in sourcing ingredients from some of London’s finest local artisan suppliers,” adds Poynter. “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, says “We are thrilled that The Orangery at Kensington Palace will be reopening as an elegant dining destination this Spring following a period of careful building restoration. 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 spatial reimagination of The Orangery at Kensington Palace is led by design studio StudioKKD, who have brought the space to life using a warm, textured, sophisticated material palette that complements the royal historical architecture. Key finishes have been chosen to elevate and reflect the original heritage of the building and the surroundings, including the Verdure Tapestry wallpaper by Cole & Son, inspired by a 17th century tapestry and a velvet fabric design by GP & J Baker, inspired by the royal gardens of Historic Royal Palaces.
The Orangery boasts a rich history dating back to 1704, when it was built by Nicholas Hawksmoor – a leading figure of English Baroque style architecture. Initially commissioned by Queen Anne as an elaborate greenhouse for her orange trees, this building has also been used as a party venue since her reign, when it became a ‘summer supper house’ and a place for royal entertainment. Now, visitors can once again soak in the rich history, magnificent gardens, stunning architecture and elegant culinary offering inspired by royal traditions and crafted with contemporary flair.