Christmas Closure Information

Our campuses close on Friday 20th December and re-open on Thursday 2nd January 2025 for the Christmas Break.

Students will return to timetabled lessons on Monday 6th January 2025.

For information on term dates and enquiries please visit our information page using the button below.

CH&FS – The Centre for Hospitality and Food Studies

Award Winning Restaurants

Located in our Colchester campus, CI Restaurants offers guests the opportunity to dine in our fantastic Balkerne Restaurant, where every customer that walks through our doors is directly contributing towards the success of the next generation of hospitality staff – both chefs and front of house. The restaurant is open to the public during term time only.

Balkerne Restaurant

Officially opened by its patron, Gary Rhodes, in October 2002, our multi-million pound purpose-built Centre for Hospitality and Food Studies provides excellent facilities and training for hospitality students and aims to give them a realistic sense of what it is like to work in the hospitality industry.

Menus

Here at the Balkerne Restaurant we endeavour to serve dishes that take seasonal produce and then give them a modern twist by pairing British ingredients with European and Asian flavours, using modern cooking techniques. Try our Wednesday to Friday Lunch and experience the ultimate in modern dining!

Table setting sponsored by Wilkin and Sons Ltd

Kitchen sponsored by Bonnet Hobart

Sample Lunch Menu

Starters

  • Roasted red pepper and tomato soup with pesto beignets
  • Pan fried chicken livers and oyster mushrooms served on toasted brioche
  • Creamy hot smoked salmon with fresh pasta and basil
  • Glazed duck supreme with stir-fried oriental vegetables

Main Courses

  • Roasted mediterranean vegetable raviolli with a herb nage sauce
  • Sauté chicken with chasseur sauce
  • Pan fried mullet with a fennel and saffron broth served with crispy herbs
  • Salmon fillet rolled in spinach with a white wine cream sauce

Desserts

  • Sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce
  • Eves pudding with sauce Anglaise
  • Blackcurrant delice
  • Pear flan Bourdalou

Please ask your server for our selection of teas and coffees

Vegetarian and gluten friendly alternatives are included in our menus. With prior notice, we will endeavour to produce dishes for other dietary requests.

While nuts and other nut derivatives are not used in every recipe, all food is prepared in an environment where cross contamination may occur. Before ordering, please speak to a member of staff if you have a food allergy or intolerance.

All food served may contain trace elements of nuts, we are unable to provide a guarantee that any dish or product is 100% nut free, we will however label products that contain nuts in line with the recipe specification.

Restaurant Bookings

Wednesday to Friday Lunch 12pm or 12:30pm

Last order at 1pm and restaurant closes at 2:30pm

£22 per person
3 courses inclusive of beautiful breads made from our patisserie and finishing with tea/coffee

£18 per person
2 courses inclusive of beautiful breads made from our patisserie and finishing with tea/coffee

Tuesday Dinner 6:30pm or 7pm

£22 per person
3 courses inclusive of beautiful breads made from our patisserie and finishing with tea/coffee

£18 per person
2 courses inclusive of beautiful breads made from our patisserie and finishing with tea/coffee

Thursday Taster Dinners 7pm or 7:30pm

£40 per person
6 courses inclusive of arrival cocktail and finishing with tea/coffee and petits fours

Please note restaurant opening times and prices are subject to change without prior notice.

Restaurant is open September to May during term time only.

Booking is essential and for parties of 6 or more a deposit of £5 per person is required, which is non-refundable.

Paying a deposit without having first made a reservation using the online booking platform will not secure a booking.

Bookings can be made through the ResDiary DishCult link below.

Book with ResDiary Dish Cult

Click here to pay Deposit for Group Booking (6 or more)

Balkerne Restaurant,
Colchester Institute,
Sheepen Road,
Colchester,
ESSEX,
CO3 3LL

01206 587 511

balkerne.restaurant@colchester.ac.uk

Balkerne Restaurant