PLEASE NOTE: THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED
Where Craftsmanship Meets the Table
At Eden, the experience begins long before a dish reaches the table. From seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce to the craftsmanship behind every element of the dining experience, quality is at the heart of what the restaurant does.
That same approach can be found in the knives created by British makers Savernake, whose table knives now form part of the dining experience at Eden.
The partnership began with Culinary Director George Blogg, who had been using Savernake knives professionally for several years before Eden opened. Having become a genuine advocate for the brand, George knew exactly what he wanted when it came to choosing knives for the restaurant: something made in Britain, made properly and designed to last.
“George found us, and he found us the best way anyone can: by cooking with our knives,” explains Laurie Timpson, founder of Savernake. “He already knew what the knives were because he had been using them for years.”
That shared appreciation for quality extends beyond the kitchen. Eden’s cooking is deeply connected to its surroundings and the changing seasons, with the estate, its orchard, gardens and wider landscape providing inspiration for the evolving menu. Savernake takes a similarly uncompromising approach to its own craft.
Founded in a converted sawmill on the edge of Savernake Forest near Marlborough, the company makes every knife to order with a small British team. Its blades are precision-machined from Swedish stainless steel, heat-treated in-house and finished through a process involving around 40 individual stages. Each knife is independently tested for sharpness and edge retention and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
For Savernake, the choice of materials is about performance rather than provenance for its own sake, a philosophy that closely mirrors George’s approach to food.
“We would use British if it were the best material for the job, but the right steel for a kitchen knife happens to be Swedish, so that is what we use,” says Laurie Timpson, founder.
Designed for Eden
For Eden, the partnership resulted in a run of 18 Stout Yeoman knives, created specifically for the restaurant’s tables.
George selected contoured yew handles, chosen for their character and the warmth of the British timer, with a thin black liner framing the wood and the Eden name engraved along each blade. The natural character of the yew means that no two handles are quite identical, giving each knife its own individual character while still performing part of a cohesive set.
The knives have become more than just another part of the table setting. Their distinctive design often prompts conversation among guests, with diners curious to pick them up, feel their weight and discover more about how they are made.
For George, that interaction is part of what makes them special. A knife should first and foremost be a tool, but when it has been made with care and purpose, it can also become part of the experience.
That philosophy is shared by both Eden and Savernake. At Eden, beautiful dishes are the result of exceptional ingredients, thoughtful cooking and skilled craftmanship. At Savernake, distinctive knives are the result of engineering, precision and an uncompromising approach to making them properly.
It is a partnership rooted in a shared belief that quality should be felt as much as seen, whether that is in the dish, an ingredient or a knife in your hand.
To celebrate the collaboration, Eden and Savernake are giving one lucky winner and a guest the chance to win an overnight stay at Hever Castle’s luxury accommodation, a fine dining experience at Eden, and a pair of Savernake steak knives.
To enter the competition, please visit the Savernake website.
Competition closes Friday 11 September at 23:59 BST. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the Savernake website for full competition terms and conditions.
Please note that no payment will ever be requested to claim this prize. If you receive a message asking for payment in connection with this competition, please do not respond. We advise that you report it to the relevant platform and please let us know.
Book your visit to Hever Castle & Gardens.
Within the grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, there are two opportunities for you to stay the night with us.
Hever Castle has played host to many important events and celebrations for over 600 years. In 1903 when William Waldorf Astor set about restoring Hever Castle to its former glory, he added the Astor Wing, to accommodate his family and guests, before creating a lake and the spectacular Italian Garden to house his impressive collection of ancient Greek and Roman statuary.
There are multiple places to eat & drink across the Hever Castle Estate. Select between the Castle & Gardens and Golf Club below to discover more.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, Hever Castle Golf Club is a 27 hole Kent golf course that will encourage and inspire all golf enthusiasts.
Set in the mature grounds of the Hever Castle Estate, the Wellbeing Centre consists of five smart treatment rooms.
