La Torre del Visco, Matarraña, Spain
23-27th September 2027
Guest chef: Lennox Hastie
Workshops: Ana Kerin (ceramics)
From £5150 per person
We invite you to spend 4 nights at the Torre del Visco with us. Days will be spent in the company of Lennox, Valentine and the rest of the assembled cast, who will share tips and techniques as they prepare each evening’s feast. You will be hiking in the hills with a local guide (and perhaps a dip in the breathtaking nearby waterfall), foraging and exploring with oleologist Victor, his limitless knowledge of wild plants a rare treat; taking part in ceramics or charcoal drawing workshops with Ana Kerin; attending cocktail and wine masterclasses; demonstrations and tastings and plenty more. As the sun dips, the group gathers to swap stories of the day’s endeavours.
Lennox Hastie
King of coals and sultan of smoke, we are thrilled to welcome the flaming genius Lennox Hastie to Kitchen In The Wild. Coming all the way from his restaurant Firedoor in Sydney, it is a rare visit to Europe and one not to be missed.
Highly respected as one of the world's greatest fire cooks, he originally cut his teeth in Spain at Asador Etxebarri in the Basque Country (currently ranked no. 2 in the World’s 50 Best). Returning to his roots, or near enough, we look forward to providing our dear friend with a selection of familiar woods to cook over, be it olive, old vines or oak, to match with the truly excellent ingredients from the surrounding area.
Lennox’s food is robust yet delicate, wildly surprising but with a nod to his deep respect for tradition. In short, his cooking is bonkers delicious. He has so much to share about cooking over wood and, of course, the merits of different woods and charcoal. Time spent in fascinating conversation with him whizzes by when spent with this man of rare talent.
The Location:
La Torre del Visco
La Torre del Visco is a 15th-century estate sitting in the wooded folds of the Matarraña, Spain, a spectacularly stunning area seemingly unknown, such is its empty rural tranquillity.
Perched on a hill with a backdrop of forest thick with pine, oak and wild boar, this turreted (Michelin key) hotel looks out over a valley dotted with an extensive orchard of twisted ancient olives, each so old they are sure to have seen many secrets play out beneath their boughs. Such places as this are hard to find and we feel incredibly fortunate that having looked high and low the invitation came from the owner that we visit them.
Serene, rose bordered terraces look out over mountains, trees and large skies, a wonderfully peaceful place to sip sherry as the light dips while a garden swimming pool, nestled in the tree line, offers cool respite from the days sun under the glorious racket of cicadas and the piney woodland scent that fills the air. Inside, the rooms are very comfortable and welcoming whether a suite at the top of the tower or overlooking pretty gardens or the valley. The kitchen is a cook’s dream with a large table for any guest who might want to sit and chat alongside the daily preparations.
La Torre del Visco is a haven of tranquility where such silence in natural surroundings surely is a luxury above all others. A hidden gem, its walls full of friendliness, its team a pleasure to be with, we are delighted to count it as one of the homes for Kitchen In The Wild.
