Private Dining at Starre Manor with Mark Hix
A 60th birthday celebration at Starre Manor becomes an unforgettable private dining experience with Mark Hix—seasonal, personal, and truly special.
The chef in question was Mark Hix.
Planning the Evening
From the first conversation, it was clear we weren’t simply arranging a dinner. Mark asked about the people around the table — their tastes, their history, the things they’d be quietly hoping for. From those details, a menu began to form.
His instincts rooted in season and place. What’s growing, what’s foraged, what the coast and countryside are offering at this particular moment of the year. It’s an approach that makes every menu unrepeatable. And it’s what gives his food its character: honest, precise, and deeply connected to where you are.
A second conversation refined the details — final numbers, the rhythm of the evening, the dishes that had risen to the top. By the time the day arrived, everything was in place.
The Evening at Starre Manor
Mark and his assistant arrived quietly and took over the kitchen. We slipped out with the birthday guest — long enough for the house to be transformed, for champagne to be poured, for the evening to begin properly.
Guests gathered in Starre Manor’s sitting rooms as canapés appeared. The pace of the meal was unhurried — each course considered, each transition felt. Mark moved through the evening with the ease of someone entirely at home in other people’s houses, which is part of what makes the experience so distinctive. He introduced dishes, told stories, and at one point raised a glass to Jon. A small gesture, unscripted, that the table didn’t forget.
An Evening Worth Planning For
We came away from that night reminded of what hospitality, at its best, can feel like. Not a service rendered, but an experience shared.
If you’re considering a private dining experience as part of a stay at Starre Manor — for a milestone, a reunion, or because the occasion calls for it — our concierge team would love to help you plan something memorable.
A Collaboration: Obstgarten Homes x Lyme Regis Stays
We’ve brought two worlds together. The design-led luxury of Obstgarten Homes, and the boutique, locally rooted expertise of Lyme Regis Stays to offer something a little out of the ordinary.
At the heart of it is a curated collection of private dining experiences, available to guests at Starre Manor and beyond. Two exceptional chefs, each with their own distinct story to bring to the table:
one of Britain’s most respected chefs. Known for his ingredient-led approach to modern British cooking and a long-standing commitment to seasonal, locally sourced produce.
MasterChef finalist and founder of Penny Hill Farm. Whose field-to-fork cooking rooted in a deep personal connection to the land she grows and sources from.
Planning your own Private Dining Experience
Whether its a milestone, family gathering or a special celebration, we can help you create something unforgettable.