By Roger Lytollis

Last updated at 13:15, Thursday, 15 May 2008

THEY dined with their boots on.

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Thirty walkers from around the UK earned their luxurious lunch in Cumbria yesterday, scaling Skiddaw’s 3,000 feet to savour mountain-top-quality flavour and scenery at England’s highest restaurant.

Walkers more accustomed to home-made sandwiches and slabs of fruit cake were seated at tables adorned with crisp linen tablecloths where they were served a delicious three-course meal cooked up by an award-winning Keswick chef.

Peter Sidwell, who owns the town’s Good Taste café, managed to serve wild mushroom and wild garlic soup, confit of seared roast lamb, and Grasmere Gingerbread and white chocolate cheesecake, using a gas powered stove in a tent and the enthusiasm of his colleagues.

John and Catriona Jackson had travelled more than 100 miles from Lanark in Scotland, paying £35 a head for the experience.

“Anything different is always nice,” said John. “When we go walking we usually have sandwiches and a coupe of bananas.”

Lunch was served at one o’clock prompt. Diners were seated in two Mountain Hardware Space Station Tents, usually used at the base camps of major mountaineering expeditions.

The tents kept out a chill wind while allowing in views of the sun-bathed Northern Fells.

“That was wonderful,” said Margaret Lawman, from Hesket Newmarket.

“It’s surreal that they’re able to produce such good quality food up here.”

Peter Sidwell was a relieved man. So why put himself through such a stressful experience?

“I like a challenge,” he explained. “You’ve got to push yourself.”

And Peter is pushing himself again today on the final day of his Skiddaw restaurant. Lunch is fully booked.

First published at 11:37, Thursday, 15 May 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk