Hotel Café Royal presents Fishy Tales, a special one-off dinner where art moves seamlessly from
page to plate, to celebrate the launch of renowned chef and food writer Mark Hix’s self
published coffee-table book of the same name which is illustrated by Nettie Wakefield. The
evening will offer guests an immersive culinary experience inspired by Britain’s coastline,
storytelling, and one of the country’s most respected chef-authors, only available on Thursday
5th February 2026.
Created by Hotel Café Royal’s Culinary Director Kevin Gratton, a long-serving right-hand to Hix
across his celebrated restaurants including HIX Soho and HIX Oyster & Chop House, the menu
draws directly from the themes and illustrations of Fishy Tales. Rooted in seasonality and
British waters, the dinner showcases refined yet soulful seafood cooking, reflecting Hix’s
signature style and lifelong connection to coastal cuisine.
The menu unfolds with smoked salmon cured to Hix’s own recipe and paired with horseradish,
followed by a delicate crab tart layered with crisp Granny Smith apple and chives. A baked Lyme
Bay scallop with Peter Gott’s black pudding brings depth and richness, before a fillet of silver
mullet served with pumpkin relish and coastal greens highlights a lesser-celebrated fish. Red
gurnard with whipped potatoes and bone sauce continues the journey, along the British
coastline, which culminates in a Kingston Black buttermilk pudding with Yorkshire rhubarb — a
fittingly nostalgic and comforting finale.
Fishy Tales is a beautifully produced 60-page coffee-table book that brings together Mark Hix
and Nettie Wakefield’s shared love of art and food, weaving original artwork, recipes and
storytelling to be enjoyed by food lovers and art enthusiasts alike. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s
Wild Raspberries, the project has also been developed into a series of 28 limited-edition
artworks, printed at London’s Jealous Print Studio.
Limited to just 300 copies, the book becomes an even more special keepsake on the evening
itself, with Hix in attendance to sign copies in person — offering guests a rare opportunity to
meet one of Britain’s most revered chefs and take home a signed piece of culinary art that
reflects his deep affection for Britain’s shores and sustainable fishing traditions.
Mark Hix’s special Fishy Tales menu will be available on Thursday 5th February
2026 only at Hotel Café Royal. Further details and booking information can be
found here.
The book is available to purchase from Hix’s website at £90 plus postage and
packaging at markhix.co.uk/fishy-tales
The limited edition prints are available to buy online from Jealousgallery.com
and are all signed by Mark and Nettie. Price £295 each including VAT. Framing
is additional £105 Order online www.jealousgallery.com
PLEASE FIND HIGH RES IMAGERY HERE
About Hotel Café Royal
Situated at the meeting point of elegant Mayfair and vibrant Soho, Hotel Café Royal has
been a London landmark since 1865. Combining historic grandeur with contemporary
luxury, the hotel features 159 rooms and suites, a diverse culinary portfolio, and a
holistic wellness centre. Dining includes the Café Royal Grill, Cakes & Bubbles by Albert
Adrià, Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, and the Green Bar.
Most recent
More
