Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality, Restaurant |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Raymond Blanc |
| Fate | Rebranded in March 2014 under Belmond label; acquired by LVMH in December 2018 |
| Headquarters | Great Milton, Oxfordshire , England, United Kingdom |
Key people | Raymond Blanc (Manager), Luke Selby (Executive Chef), Benoit Blin (Head of Pastry) |
| Products | Hotel accommodation, Fine dining restaurant |
| Owner | LVMH |
| Parent | Belmond |
| Website | www |
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons ("Manor of the Four Seasons") is an upscale hotel and dining establishment situated in Great Milton, close to Oxford, Oxfordshire, England. Housed within a manor dating back to the 15th century, it underwent rebranding in March 2014 following the launch of the Belmond label by its parent organization. In December 2018, the Belmond group was purchased by LVMH.
Description
This restaurant has earned two Michelin stars and holds a 9/10 score in the Good Food Guide. Serving up to 260 patrons daily, it is owned by LVMH and managed by the acclaimed French chef Raymond Blanc. The current executive chef, Luke Selby, took over from Gary Jones in November 2022 after more than twenty years. The head of pastry is Benoit Blin. The property's gardens provide fresh ingredients, while a helipad is available for affluent guests.
Le Manoir has been showcased on BBC Two's series The Restaurant, where it functioned as a challenge location and featured Raymond Blanc's "room of truth."
The kitchen has developed 34 chefs who have achieved Michelin stars through an intensive training program lasting about two and a half years, with six months dedicated to each kitchen section. Those on extended terms receive further instruction in management.
Notable chefs trained at Le Manoir
A number of distinguished chefs and restaurateurs have been guided by or worked alongside Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir, such as:
- John Burton-Race
- Heston Blumenthal
- Michael Caines
- Elisha Carter
- Éric Chavot
- William Curley
- David Goodridge
- Paul Heathcote
- Paul Liebrandt
- David Moore
- Marco Pierre White
- James Knight-Pacheco
Reception
In 2013, restaurant critic Jay Rayner visited Le Manoir and described it as perhaps the priciest dining venue in Britain while commending its kitchen garden and overall arrangement. He praised the "perfectly balanced" beetroot terrine accompanied by a horseradish sorbet quenelle, and admired the craftsmanship behind a dessert featuring poached meringue and fried apricots encased within a nougatine sphere. Despite questioning the cost, he deemed the experience exceptional.
Public transport
From June 2022 onwards, Le Manoir has supported an hourly bus route linking Great Milton with central Oxford. The Oxford Bus Company's route 46 connects the village to Oxford through Wheatley, Horspath, and Cowley, operating every day from early morning until late at night.