Somehow, despite the fact that it was me organising it, my research group's Christmas dinner has been sorted for a long time. After abandoning the idea of Lumley Castle, we settled on Oldfields on Claypath. Menus were obtained, food selections made, bookings made and then rearranged. Finally yesterday arrived and we all (well, most of us) trudged down to the restaurant. Eventually the 2 that had blatantly forgotten turned up and all was well.
Starters arrived and my policy of bringing the list of what people ordered paid off straight away. My starter consisted of a salmon fillet cured with Pernod and dill to give a full flavor - the fact that it was cured instead of cooked gave it a unique texture. The other starter that looked good was the goats cheese on a pimento muffin pictured. The main course brought me a confit of beef - very tender and on a pile of crushed garlic potatoes. Other options included pork, salmon or a very unusual style turkey - and escalope encrusted with a cranberry coating. 
Finally, the moment most of us had been waiting for, the arrival of the chocolate torte with strawberries and blueberries. The fork just glided through it and it was the perfect way to finish. All that was left was to finish the wine and give Martin and Hazel the present we had bought for them.
As the post docs and Martin went back to the lab, several of us took up residence at the Swan & 3 to enjoy and afternoon of drinking. We finally left at about 7.30. Overall, it was agreed that it had been better than the previous year (at the King's Lodge) where the food had been a bit bland (although the table of drunk women behind us provided some entertainment) and at least as good as the year before (at The Pumphouse). Sadly, it's almost certainly my last group dinner although, hopefully we'll organise some more socials next year. And this time, actually go on them.
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