A Summer Behind the Scenes at Restaurant Interlude

At Restaurant Interlude, summer brings a distinct sense of atmosphere to Leonardslee. Light lingers over the lakes, woodland paths soften into evening and the gardens feel full of life. Set within Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens, Interlude is shaped by these surroundings in every sense. The estate is more than a beautiful backdrop. It sets the rhythm, mood and inspiration for an experience that feels calm, elegant and immersive from the moment guests arrive. 

The Rhythm of the Kitchen 

Behind the scenes, the experience begins long before the dining room opens. In the kitchen, the day is shaped by precision. Stocks are reduced, ferments are checked, garnishes are refined and herbs are picked at their peak. Each element is prepared with care and revisited throughout the day. By the time service begins, every course is ready to unfold with ease. This attention to detail is central to Restaurant Interlude’s philosophy and allows the menu to feel effortless, while resting on real discipline and care. 

Seasonality, Sourcing and Summer Foraging 

Seasonality guides every decision at Restaurant Interlude. The menu draws from the estate's gardens, its herb garden, trusted local farmers and the surrounding landscape of Leonardslee House. In Summer, this connection becomes especially present. Foraged ingredients from the gardens bring freshness, fragrance and texture to the menu. Berries, herbs, edible flowers and other seasonal elements add delicacy and definition. Alongside these sit details from Interlude's wider pantry, including estate honey and birch, used in thoughtful and unexpected ways. The result is a menu that does more than reference the estate; it brings its landscape into flavour.   

This approach to cooking is shaped by both restraint and creativity. Ingredients are chosen not only for their quality, but for what they express about the season. A summer dish may carry the brightness of estate berries, the lift of freshly picked herbs or the softness of floral notes from the gardens. These are balanced with elements that have been preserved or developed over time in the kitchen. Through continual tasting and close collaboration between chefs, gardeners and suppliers, each course becomes a refined expression of summer. 

The People Behind the Experience

Restaurant Interlude is shaped by the people who bring it to life each day. Under the direction of Chef Jean Delport, the kitchen team works with focus and finesse to create a menu that feels both assured and deeply connected to place. In the dining room, the front-of-house team brings warmth, elegance and instinctive timing. Together, they create the harmony that defines Interlude, where hospitality and craftsmanship feel inseparable. 

That care is felt throughout the guest journey. From the first welcome to the final course, every detail is considered. The pacing of the menu, the movement between courses, the conversation at the table and the atmosphere of Leonardslee all work together. Dining at Restaurant Interlude in summer is not only about what is served, but how it is experienced. It is an invitation to slow down and be immersed in a story shaped by land, season and craft. 

More than a Meal 

In this setting, a meal becomes something more memorable. Rooted in the beauty of Leonardslee and shaped by the precision of the team behind it, Restaurant Interlude offers a crafted estate dining experience that stays with guests long after the table is cleared. In summer, that experience comes into especially sharp focus, revealing the quiet luxury, natural abundance and thoughtful detail that make Interlude so distinctive.