Newlyweds praise ‘magnificent’ food and service at The Escoffier Room

A newly married couple have expressed their joy at the “magnificent” food and service they received after celebrating their wedding at The Escoffier Room.

Shaan and Hannah Haque, from Luton, Bedfordshire, praised staff and students following their reception at Westminster Kingsway College’s award-winning training restaurant in October.

The newlyweds and their guests dined on food cooked and served by the college’s hospitality and culinary arts students, from a menu devised by Chef Lecturer Jonny Warner.

Shaan, 38, said: “I first took Hannah here in an attempt to impress her when we were dating. Little did we know then that we’d return multiple times and eventually celebrate our wedding here.

“The Escoffier Room is a real hidden gem in the heart of London. The service is top quality and worthy of any five-star hotel restaurant in any major city of the world.”

The couple were impressed from their initial enquiry with Marc Whitley, Lecturer on Hospitality and Manager of The Escoffier, who organised food and wine tastings for them with Jonny and planned a photo slideshow and music playlist.

Guests enjoyed canapés and cocktails on arrival with the meal consisting of a lobster ravioli starter followed by a fish course of seabass, artichoke and mushrooms; and a main course of venison, croquette, rosti potatoes and vegetables; followed by a dessert of crème brûlée and rhubarb sorbet.

Hannah, 34, said: “Marc was incredibly helpful and attentive in the planning stages of our big day. He is experienced and confident in organising events and so brought a much-needed calmness and confidence to our often last-minute decision making.”

“The food Jonny and the students produced for our wedding meal was incredible. Words cannot do it justice. You really do have to experience the flavours and impeccable presentation for yourself.”

Shaan said: “There wasn’t much to be heard as our guests enjoyed the delicious canapés. The students served our guests with a smile on their faces and were very professional in their manner, and during our main course my father-in-law was heard to say, ‘This food is amazing, fine dining in England isn’t dead!’.”

The Escoffier Room is one of two training restaurants known as The Vincent Rooms at the college’s Victoria Centre along with its à la carte restaurant The Brasserie.

It is named after acclaimed chef Auguste Escoffier, who was one of the founders of Westminster Kingsway College, and combines his principles of cooking with modern techniques.

Shaan said: “My wife and I enjoyed a beautiful wedding day, in no small part thanks to the magnificent efforts of Marc, Jonny, and all the students. They couldn’t do enough for us.

“We are so grateful to everyone at The Escoffier Room for looking after us so well during our wedding celebrations. Thank you!”

Marc Whitley, Manager of the Escoffier, said: “We were delighted to host Shaan and Hannah’s wedding reception and hear how much they and their guests enjoyed the food and service they had with us, We wish them many years of happiness together.”

Westminster Kingsway College has 15 operational kitchens and two training restaurants and trains more than 2,000 students and apprentices each year.

Book a table at The Escoffier or Brasserie and enquire about wedding receptions and other events.

Find out more about our Hospitality and Culinary Arts courses and apprenticeships.