Latest News from The Lemon Tree

Our ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ themed charity event took place on Friday September 26th at the Mersea Vineyard and Brewery and saw major meltdowns in the kitchen when two brave teams from the local media competed against each other.

Gazette editor Irene Kettle along with reporters Neil D’Arcy-Jones and Clare Jeffs battled it out with SGR Colchester’s Breakfast Crew, Natasha Sims and Wyatt Wendels along with Natasha’s firefighter husband James Vernon. Absolute perfection was demanded from the teams by The Lemon Tree owner Patrik Minder and head chef Paul Wassan, with the assistance of staff members Shaun Pullum and Ian Perkins and Stefanie Conway and Jenny Lee from Colchester Institute’s Centre of Hospitality and Food Studies.

Both The Gazette and SGR Colchester had their work cut out for them whilst they cooked and served their chosen three course meal to over 140 eagerly awaiting diners! As the kitchen heated up with frazzled wannabe chefs feeling the pressure, guests were asked to vote for the best menu on the night by way of a donation to charity. Kevin Bentley of Mosaic Publicity entertained the audience with his spontaneous and hilarious interviews of guests and the chefs alike and a great evening was had by all!

Over £3,000 was raised for two local charities – Headway and Operation Santa Claus - and at the end of a fun packed evening the Gazette were announced as the winning team.

Budding local history enthusiasts were welcomed at The Lemon Tree on the morning of Saturday 4th October to embark on an interesting and educational history tour of Colchester.

Local Blue Badge Guide Mr Roy Waters led the party from The Lemon Tree on a fascinating two-hour tour of the town, looking at many major historic sites and artefacts. The tour ended back at The Lemon Tree where everyone enjoyed a delicious two-course lunch next to Colchester's original Roman wall - which creates a stunning backdrop inside the restaurant.

Lemon Tree customer Mrs Margeret Horsnell said: "It has been a lovely morning, the tour was excellent and the welcoming lunch back at The Lemon Tree was delicious. This has been a fantastic start to my weekend!" Mrs Betty Green added: "It has been brilliant. Even though I have lived in the town all of my life I saw things today that I'd never noticed or appreciated before. The gathering back at The Lemon Tree afterwards in the Roman Cavern was a lovely treat."

Joanna Minder of The Lemon Tree said "we are delighted that everyone has had such a fabulous morning. We are proud of the fact that we are more than just a restaurant and we continually strive to create interesting and memorable dining experiences for all of our customers, new and existing. Today's guided history tour of the town and lunch by the Roman wall back at The Lemon Tree has proved so popular that we already have lots of enquiries for our next History tour with lunch on Saturday November 15th."