A Little Kiss

Hello friends

For 21 years now, we have held an annual Festival of music at Le Manoir. Each year we bring three great artists to perform at the tiny St Mary's Church in Great Milton, a few steps from Le Manoir. This year, I was very happy to meet the wonderful Katherine Jenkins at the Veuve Clicquot Polo, and she very kindly agreed to open our Festival this year, to be followed by the great Russell Watson (the Voice) and then the marvellous Elaine Paige will close Le Festival on Saturday night.

Not only is Katherine beautiful, but she is also a very kind, and thoughtful woman, who is not at all precious with her beauty. But regardless of her gorgeousness, it is her extraordinary, wonderful voice that we celebrate and appreciate.

Katherine arrived at Le Manoir where she was staying and I am delighted to say that she had chosen one of the rooms I designed myself: Arabesque - a special room, full of sensuality and curves... and that is where this photograph was taken - a kiss (although not in the bedroom!).

I confess that I felt a bit sad last night. I was not able to welcome all the guests as they arrived for the evening, nor was I able to stay for Katherine's performance. I have been so busy all day, preparing and filming for my new tv series - from dawn until nearly 10pm last night! Sometimes, television seems glamorous and exciting - and it is, of course - but to make something beautiful and authentic, we have to work as hard and as long as we do in the kitchens that serve our guests at Le Manoir.

So I arrived home, tired and a bit sad to have missed a lovely evening,,, but that kiss made it better - and so did the news that Katherine sang quite beautifully. Thank you Katherine.

Best RB

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The DVD of Raymond Blanc's hugely successful five part series - The Very Hungry Frenchman - broadcast on BBC2 earlier this year, is now on sale.

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