Highclere Castle Gin hosted a Chef’s Blind Pairing Food Challenge on April 29 at the Garde Arts Center in New London as a festive pre-event to a center program featuring iconic actor and performer Mandy Patinkin. The event brought together Highclere Castle Gin with area on-premise venues Tony D’s, Tuskers, The Blue Duck and Hot Rod Cafe, who competed during a pre-show chef challenge creating the best appetizer that complements Highclere Castle Gin’s newly released cocktail recipe the King Charles Cocktail. The royal sipper was created to commemorate the May 6 coronation in a celebration of the brand’s connection to its royal roots. Highclere Castle Gin launched in 2019, co-founded by Connecticut-based spirits entrepreneur Adam von Gootkin and the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon, owners of Highclere Castle, which serves as the iconic location for “Downton Abbey” and has served throughout centuries of history as a home and destination for royalty, entertainers, celebrities and tourists alike. Made with a blend of botanicals selected from Highclere Castle’s ancient estate, the super-premium London dry gin is sold in 28 U.S. markets and seven countries. Highclere Castle Gin has won more than 100 international spirit awards and is distributed in Connecticut by Allan S. Goodman and Mancini Beverage – Northeast Beverage.

Photos 1-5 by Tom Bombria. Photo 6 by Lisa Nichols, Bread & Beast Food Photographer.