Northampton's Hibiscus restaurant at Delapre Abbey celebrates double award win and opens for reservations

The team at Northampton's Hibiscus restaurant are celebrating after scooping two top awards at the Weetabix Northamptonshire Food and Drink Awards 2021.Hibiscus, which is set in the grounds of Delapré Abbey, was awarded gold in the Booker Dining Venue of the Year category, whilst its head chef Samuel Squires was named 'Chef of the Year' last month.Sam, who is currently finalising May's tasting menu, said: "“We are absolutely delighted to be recognised for all we do. My whole team is passionate about creating incredible dishes and we love nothing more than taking relatively simple dishes and giving them an innovative twist.”

Head chef Samuel worked at many top restaurants before joining Hibiscus - including the five-star Grove Hotel in Watford, The Ritz in London and the three Michelin-starred private restaurant, Remy.

He is now putting the finishing touches to his seven-course tasting menu, which will include a variety of locally and seasonally sourced foods and this will be confirmed and published on Delapré Abbey's website next month.

This seven-course tasting menu - priced at £60 - comes with the option to upgrade, which will see diners enjoy an evening of wine pairing to accompany each dish.

General Manager of Hibiscus, Elliot Knight, said: “So many or our customers have been asking for weeks to reserve a table for May, when the Covid restrictions lift and, since the award announcements, the phones haven’t stopped ringing.

“We hadn’t been planning to take reservations until next month, but we can’t deny people any longer. Our customers are desperate to get a dining date in their diaries so we are reopening our bookings system from today.”

The AA rosette-awarded restaurant - Hibiscus - is part of the T.H.E Hospitality, which runs several rubs, restaurants and cafes across Northamptonshire - including The Orangery and new deli 'Common Ground' at Delapré Abbey.

Staff have been redecorating the cafe and adding a new bar with a cocktail menu - reader to be enjoyed by visitors when it reopens on Monday, May 17.

Chief executive of Delapré Abbey, Richard Clinton, said: “It is just over a year since the Hibiscus team joined us here at the Abbey and, despite the immense challenges of Covid, Sam, Elliot and their team have continued to serve, cook and create stunning dishes, perfectly complemented by an incredible menu of wines.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone back – to Hibiscus, the café and deli, to the house itself and of course our stunning grounds which are open to everyone.”

Visit the Hibiscus website to book a reservation for its reopening in May. Go to the Delapré Abbey website for more information.