When are the Crooked House dinners in Lavenham 2023?

Built in 1395, the wonky beamed property is regularly snapped by visitors who are amazed by its precarious-looking frontage. Inside, owners Alex and Oli Khalil-Martin have brought history alive, using their combined talents in interior design and antique hunting. 

But it’s food that’s seen them really make their mark in the village. Hot on the tail of a series of extravagant Christmas supper clubs, the couple have just announced eight Crooked Club black tie dining events – with the opportunity for guests to become part of a rather unique experience...maybe meeting a ghost or two along the way. 

Alex and Oli bought what Alex repeatedly says is his “dream home” in 2021. Having fallen in love with it on a visit to Lavenham in 2018 when it was a tearoom, Alex found himself drawn back time and time again, daydreaming of moving from London (and his job in marketing) to rural Suffolk in retirement. 

“I met Oli in lockdown in 2020 through Facetime. A little way into our relationship I shared a link to the house with him and said maybe it could be ours one day?” 

Fate intervened, with the house coming on the market, and Alex never could have predicted, when Oli took him on a mysterious weekend getaway that they’d be going for a viewing – resulting in an offer being made and aceepted. 

“It’s been a whirlwind,” he admits, “but this is such a magical house. The perfect house for us. I have a background in interior design and an interest in history antiques, and Oli is a great cook. We’re both people people, and were always keen to share the house with others...so hosting suppers was always on the cards when we bought The Crooked House.” 

The Crooked Men supper clubs begin this February, running through to December. Each one has a different theme, and a black tie dress code. 

“Guests arrive at 7pm for an 11pm finish,” says Alex. “We begin with a Champagne reception in the Elizabethan chamber, then head upstairs to the medieval hall for dining. 

“All the food is home cooked by us, and the price (£125 per person or £150 at Christmas) includes all the food, the welcome drink, half a bottle of wine per person, and usually a nip of something at the end, like Port or mead.” 

Keen cook Oli is in charge in the kitchen, preparing menus using local produce, but cleverly working each one so he’s able to sit at the table and enjoy each occasion alongside the other diners. 

“My philosophy,” he says, “is to keep it simple and tasty and as seasonal as possible. I also try to bring some historical elements into the menus, and some of my own pesronal creativity, bringing new life to things.” 

Oli uses the likes of Lavenham Butchers and the local farmers’ market as starting points when bringing together his menus. “We have so many great ingredients all around us,” he says. 

“Last year we made some wonderful salads in spring and summer using what was in season – including delicious figs and plums. There were warming casseroles in the winter months. And our now-famous Crooked Club curry, which is frequently requested. I’ll probably bring back our vegan chocolate pudding. Most people don’t realise it’s vegan until I tell them!” 

READ MORE: Why Lavenham is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Suffolk

Unless a banquet has been planned (as in the Tudor-style Christmases complete with a hog head laden table), the suppers include four courses – a starter, main, pudding, and sweet treat taken downstairs with a tot of booze. That could be anything from homemade marzipan fruits, to miniature scones. 

Each menu is a heavily guarded secret until the night. “We like to keep it a surprise,” adds Oli. “We like to tell a bit of a story through food. A story of the house, and its history, and the characters who’ve been here. It's all quite exciting.” 

Oli has always cooked and hosted. “My parents are very keen and good cooks, and always hosted parties. I’d be in the kitchen cooking alongside them. And I learnt a lot from my grandmother too. I love the supper clubs as they’re an amazing way to indulge in my passion and to share it with other people.”  

“Last year we met so many great people and made lots of friends,” adds Alex. “These are great social events. You can come on your own, as a couple, a family, friends. We had guests from the local area but also from Scotland, London, Germany and America which is quite amazing and a real honour for us. 

“We’re here for life, so hopefully there will be years of Crooked suppers to come.” 

When are the Crooked Club suppers in 2023?

February 11 and 18: “We’re tying these in with Valentine’s Day as a way to share our love for Lavenham and 600-year story of the house.” 

March 11: “This is going to be the Night of the Crooked Man – because the famous nursery rhyme (There Was a Crooked Man) is based on the house. We’re hoping it will be an annual tradition here. We want to have a procession around the village, then some of the charaters from the nursery rhyme will be at the house.” 

April 29: “This is when we will celebrate the King’s coronation. We didn’t want to do it on the day as everyone will probably be watching it on TV. We’ll be celebrating Lavenham’s long history with the royals. Elizabeth I came here, as did Henry VII and Queen Victoria.” 

October 21 and 28: “These will be our All Hallows Eve dinners. We did them last year and they were hugely popular and great fun – if we do say so ourselves. Being in an ancient house comes with lots of ghosts, including the spirits of a woman and child in the bedroom. I met the woman when I woke up one night. She was just there in front of me!” 

December 9 and 16: “Our Christmas themed suppers. These, again, will celebrate the history of the house and there’ll be some Tudor twists.” 

Make your booking via crookedhouselavenham.com