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An award-winning restaurateur is to offer takeaway Christmas dinners after deciding to shut his eateries on December 25 for the first time.
Matt Sworder, who runs the The Corner House restaurants in Canterbury and Minster, says he wants his staff to spend the festive period with loved ones without the worry of the pandemic potentially forcing businesses to shut down.
So he is offering a range of pre-made meals this winter - with prices stretching to £125 for a two-person six-course feast.
Instead of fretting over the best time to hit the supermarket to buy a turkey, Mr Sworder wants diners to have a stress-free opportunity to cook his award-winning food from the comfort of their own kitchen.
Those who purchase his team's meals will be able to try their hand at the festive menu by following simple instructions and a video link tutorial.
Dishes available include beef Wellington, confit turkey thigh, Jerusalem artichoke orzotto and Christmas pudding.
The festive menu, which has prices starting from £75 per two people, caters for either two, four or six guests. Upon ordering, the fresh food recipe boxes will be available for collection.
Corner House restaurants usually remain open throughout the Christmas period but their doors will be shut from December 24 to 27.
Mr Sworder said: "With the infection rates rising once again, I wanted to have more control and give my team some certainty in the coming weeks.
"We haven’t closed for Christmas before but this year has been so tough that I felt we all deserved to relax and spend Christmas with our loved ones without the worry of plans being cancelled again.
“In my seven years as a chef restaurateur with its many, many challenges, I can’t recall a time when I’ve felt as helpless and uncertain as I did during lockdown.
"It was a hugely stressful time for everyone in the team and we are hugely grateful to our guests for all their support when we were able to operate again."
The Corner House at Mister is a former double winner of the Kent Restaurant of the Year prize.
The home meals will be available for collection from November 20.
For details on how to order, click here.
