This Halloween, Kaspar's at The Savoy invites All Hallows Eve revellers to a sophisticated dinner party for 13 guests on Saturday 28th and Tuesday 31st October. Set in the elegant private dining room at Kaspar's restaurant, this bespoke five-course dinner party is inspired by the ill-fated story of South African diamond magnate Woolf Joel, who dined at The Savoy in 1898.
The story has it that Joel held a dinner at The Savoy for fourteen guests and one cancelled at the last minute. The dinner continued, but one superstitious guest announced that death would come to the first person to leave the unlucky table of thirteen. Joel took that gamble and a few weeks later he was shot dead in Johannesburg. To avoid a repeat performance and damaging its reputation, The Savoy offered a member of staff to sit amongst tables of thirteen thereafter. Unable to discuss private matters or feel at ease, this proved to be unpopular with guests and thus, in a stroke of genius, Kaspar was born.
Kaspar is a three foot high cat that was sculpted in 1926 by British Basil Lonides to stave off bad luck. For almost 90 years The Savoy has been more than happy to oblige parties of thirteenwith Kaspar's company, whereby he joins in with napkin around the neck and a full place setting to 'enjoy' every course.
For this Halloween dinner party, diners can choose whether to have Kaspar join their table, or take a Halloween-appropriate gamble and stick with an un-lucky 13 guests.
Created by Executive Chef Holger Jackish diners will indulge in a welcome glass of champagne followed by a five-course feast which will feature decadent and devilish dishes such as Black deviled risotto, Smoky green crushed ice, Bloody beef and Pumpkin Pie.
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Over the years, Halloween has become an increasingly big retail opportunity, including for the food and drink industries, with an estimated £310m being spent on celebrations in 2016 alone, up 5% from consumer spending in 2015. Mintel analysis shows that up to half of Millenials (18-35 year olds) spent money on Halloween last year, with 40% of the population as a whole getting involved. This rolls over into the tailored food and drink offerings that you find on the shelves, in stores and in bars and restaurants around the country. What ghoulish delights will you come across this year? Share them with us on social media, @thefoodpeople.