"AWESOME" might be the appropriate word for dining à
deux under the tower of a great cathedral, and receiving the
full attention of two dinner-suited waiters. Sean and Jessica West
had received the surprise invitation from Jessica's father, Mark
Dunn, a cathedral server at St Edmundsbury
Cathedral, who had won the event in "Something Special", an online
auction organised by the Friends of the Cathedral Choir.
On their arrival, the couple were seated and presented with the
menu, while the cathedral's Director of Music, James Thomas, set
the scene with romantic music on the Steinway piano. When they had
chosen their hors d'œuvres of asparagus soup and grilled quail, the
two waiters went through the cloisters to the kitchens of the Angel
Hotel, just across the road from the cathedral, and returned at
speed in the hope of keeping the food palatably warm.
Wine was served by the Friends' head sommelier, and,
between courses, the couple were also looked after by the maître
d', and enjoyed a guided tour around the cathedral. Further sprints
to and from the hotel brought chicken and Thai salmon, crème brûlée
and New York Crack Pie, followed by coffee and petits fours. Well
fed, the couple retired to the Angel Hotel where the prize included
a room for the night.
It was "a truly unique experience", the PR manager at the
cathedral, Sarah Friswell, said. The auction had raised more than
£6000 for the cathedral choir.