Christmas Dinner at the Reform Club

 The Reform Club was founded in 1836 when the founders commissioned a leading architect of the day, Charles Barry, to build an imposing and palatial clubhouse in the style of an Italian palazzo.  It is as splendid today as when it opened in 1841.  In those days membership was restricted to those who pledged support for the Great Reform Act of 1832, and the many MPs and Whig peers among the early members originally developed the Club as the political headquarters of the Liberal Party.


With many thanks to Committee member John Barker OBE (who is a member at the Reform) we are delighted to offer this very special location as the venue for this year’s Christmas dinner. (Older members may also recall that the Reform used to be the HQ of the IWFS many years ago. So we will be “returning home”).



We will be dining in the “Strangers Room” (originally the only room where non-members could meet members). In the Strangers Room appropriately hangs a picture of a very famous French chef of the day, Alexis Soyer.


In 1837 Soyer became chef de cuisine at the Reform Club. He designed the kitchens with Charles Barry when the Club was built, where his salary was to be more than £1,000 a year (a huge amount in those days). He instituted many innovations, including cooking with gas, refrigerators cooled by cold water, and ovens with adjustable temperatures. His kitchens were so famous that they were opened for conducted tours. When Queen Victoria was crowned on 28 June 1838, he prepared a breakfast for 2,000 people at the Club. Soyer's eponymous Lamb Cutlets Reform are still on the Club menu.


We will have Champagne on arrival and the chosen menu will be:-


Baked Scallop and Smoked Haddock St. Jacques

Roast 8oz Rump of Cornish Beef, Roscoff onion and peppercorn sauce

Peach & Champagne Jelly with vanilla sable biscuits

Coffee and chocolates

There is a vegetarian alternative, please ask.

Our Chairman, Jeffrey Benson, has personally chosen and will supply the wines (we have therefore decided to opt to pay the corkage).

Lanson Black Label NV

2012  Echeverria Chilean Chardonnay Reserve

2008 Ondarre Rioja Reserva (in Magnum)

2006 Vin Santo dei Chianti

NB There are nine stone steps from the pavement into the Clubhouse and a further eight steps into the main Saloon, so access is awkward for people who are physically disabled or unable to walk.  The Club does have a wheelchair stair climber and many willing hands for those that may require assistance.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Venue:                 The Reform Club, 104 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5EW

Nearest Tube:     Piccadilly Circus or Green Park

Mobility Rating: 4

Time:                     7pm reception, 7.30pm dinner

Dress:                    Black Tie

Price p/ Person:  £109  Members,  Guests £113

Organiser:            Roger Ellis                Tel: 01494 837857

                                e-mail: Roger.Ellis@iwfs.co.uk