Madley Park House in Witney, Oxfordshire, is transforming into a romantic restaurant for lovebirds this Valentine’s Day.  The pop-up restaurant will be fully decorated with red balloons, fancy tablecloths, crockery, candles and red roses, and will serve a special menu.

Several couples have already booked in for a romantic meal, including Susie, aged 86, and Bruce, aged 89, who have been married for 55 years and now both live at Madley Park House.  Susie was an occupational therapist before she started caring for children in a play group, and Bruce worked as a probation officer in Oxford. Susie and Bruce share a passion for gardening and before moving into Madley Park, they travelled to Italy numerous times to seek inspiration for their own garden back at their home in Stonesfield, West Oxfordshire. They also enjoy visiting garden centres and open gardens.  After half a century together, they are still excited and looking forward to a romantic date night this coming Valentine’s Day. 

The home’s two experienced chefs, Jackie Henshaw and Janet Miles, have created a three-course menu especially for the occasion. Starters will include a choice of prawn cocktail or soup.  Mains will include a choice of chicken chasseur, vegetable curry or salmon fillet, and for dessert there will be a choice of black forest or strawberry gateau or Eton mess.

Home Manager Nicola Rowlands will be Maître d’, and care leaders and Activities Co-ordinators will swap their usual uniforms for waiter uniforms and help serve the dishes.  The team will also provide entertainment.

Nicola, Home Manager, said: “The staff here at Madley Park House are really excited to turn the heart of the home into a pop-up restaurant to help our resident couples celebrate Valentine’s Day. It will be all hands-on deck as we decorate, cook, serve and entertain our happy couples. We can’t wait to create a date night filled with culinary delights, enjoyable entertainment, lots of love and laughter, and happy memories.”