• The live Cook-a-Long was broadcast to an audience of 50 people from The Raymond Blanc Cookery School at Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons
• Led by Mark Peregrine, Director of The Raymond Blanc Cookery School and presented by Dermot O’Leary
• The event had both digital and physical elements – guests were delivered hampers containing all the ingredients by professionally trained butlers ahead of the event

Mercedes-Benz Cars UK successfully hosted its first interactive Cook-a-Long on 15 December at the iconic Raymond Blanc Cookery School. The part digital, part physical event was broadcast live to an audience of Mercedes-Benz retailer partners and their families.

The guests received a luxury hamper beforehand containing a pre-prepared starter and dessert, plus the highest quality, organic ingredients for the main course. The hamper also included the ingredients for a virtual, interactive gin-tasting session hosted by Le Manoir’s professional mixologist, Tom Hollywood.

The butlers, who were all COVID-tested prior to the event, had previously worked in private residences and on luxury events.  They helped guests prepare for the Cook-a-Long and served the dishes. 

The Raymond Blanc Cookery School forms part of the two-starred Michelin restaurant Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. The restaurant earned its two Michelin stars when it first opened 36 years ago and has retained them every year since, and is widely considered one of Britain’s best restaurants.

Due to the unprecedented nature of 2020, the hotel has adapted to deliver luxurious and virtual events for its clientele.

Gary Savage, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: “We are so grateful to the team at The Raymond Blanc Cookery School for being open to the idea of providing a virtual, luxury experience that our guests will remember for years to come. 2020 has been a year like no other and this event felt like the perfect way to thank our retail partners for their support, hard work and determination this year.”

Raymond Blanc, Chef Patron of Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, said "Delivering a Le Manoir experience to the homes of Mercedes-Benz guests has been a joyful highlight to this most challenging year. Together we are discovering innovative ways to deliver virtual luxury that engages and excites our guests.  My team and I sincerely thank Gary Savage for his continued support for us and the hospitality industry."

ENDS

Editors’ Notes

Below is some anonymised feedback from guests who cooked-a-long at home.

• I thought it was brilliant and thoroughly enjoyed the night.
• This year has been really tough but last night made it all feel worthwhile and having our families involved felt really special.
• Great fun, thank you for making such a big effort. My boys enjoyed the theatre especially on a school night.
• I would like to thank you and your team for this evening’s event. What a brilliant idea, you guys have excelled.  Fabulous way to spend a Tuesday evening in Tier 3 lockdown.
• Thank you so much for tonight. The family loved it and really appreciate the effort that you made to pull this off.
• Butler great and fab evening for whole family.
• What a wonderful evening. Thank you so much.
• Utterly brilliant. This is amazing.  Hats off.
• Great fun, fantastic idea and much appreciated.

For more information you can contact:

About Mercedes-Benz Cars in the UK
Mercedes-Benz Cars UK is the sales and marketing organisation responsible for all Mercedes-Benz Cars and services in Britain (including smart). 

As well as selling cars, parts, and service, the company runs Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands – a brand experience centre in Weybridge, Surrey.  Mercedes-Benz World has welcomed over 3 million visitors since it opened in 2006.

The Mercedes-Benz UK group of companies directly employs over 4000 people, and 11,000 at independent retailers. Over 500 Apprentices have passed their professional qualifications at the company’s in-house Training Academy. The UK is also home to Mercedes-Benz High Performance Powertrains and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula 1™ team.