Tucked away in the crisp Essex woods lies Tey Brook Orchard, home to Browning Bros.’ fifth-generation organic farm and the setting for The Wild Table. Following three sell-out successes, this open-fire feasting concept, helmed by chef and sommelier Melanie Brown of Brixton's The Laundry, returned to the idyllic site from the 16th to the 18th of May, with another weekend scheduled for the 18th to the 20th of September, 2026.
As a first-time woodland diner, I eagerly packed my bags to escape London, trading the city for an hour's journey into the wild. I couldn't wait to fill my lungs with the scent of earthy pine across the 20-acre woodland and indulge in farm-to-fork produce sourced from West Mersea to Chelmsford. Because the event was dog-friendly, I brought along my four-month-old cocker spaniel. With his adorable, seal-like face, he proved to be the ultimate icebreaker, sparking exactly the kind of authentic connections The Wild Table was all about.
The Wild Table dining room, hidden within the woodland (pictured).
DesignMyNight's Review Of The Wild Table In Essex
Need To Know:
- Address: Tey Brook Orchard, Browning Bros, Essex
- Area: Essex
- Cuisine: Farm to fork, open fire cooking
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: Browning Bros and The Laundry had done a brilliant job of transforming the orchard into a woodland wonderland, with fairy lights strung from branches across trees, and a crackling wood-fired hearth at its core. I felt like I was dining in a fairytale, where the formality of a modern dining room had been stripped away and replaced with conviviality and curiosity
- Perfect for: switching off from the city and appreciating flame-kissed plates
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: £85 per person (includes a welcome cocktail and multi-course menu), or from £170 per person for glamping and breakfast
The grain silo, one of the glamping options (pictured left), and the moreish focaccia (right).
Menu Highlights
Food: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Caramelised scallop - the evening began with a short walk through the forest, leading us to a heavy ceramic fire pit where pearly scallops were caramelising on the grill. We were handed a skewer each, paired with a smoky BBQ sauce and a burnt lime mayo that gave the delicate seafood a delightful kiss of citrus
- Focaccia - soft, fluffy, and passed eagerly around the table, this sparked an immediate scramble for seconds. I particularly loved the oak-whipped butter served alongside it, which had a subtle, beautifully creamy roast to it
- Trout on cedar - the fish was a glorious, glowing coral and paired perfectly with radish, baby mustard, and dill. It was a wonderfully refreshing dish where no single ingredient overpowered the others - something I really appreciated
- Juniper venison loin - undoubtedly the star of the show. The venison was cooked to absolute perfection, and so tender that my knife simply glided through it. The lean, flavoursome meat was beautifully elevated by the caramelised notes of a burnt tomato conserve and rich confit garlic, making the whole dish incredibly moreish
- Rhubarb and ginger eton - while perfectly enjoyable, the dessert didn't completely win me over. It skewed a bit too sweet due to the meringue and burnt honey crema, though I thoroughly enjoyed the tart rhubarb compote hidden beneath the dollop of cream
Melanie Brown from The Laundry (pictured left), and the Juniper venison loin (right).
Drink: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Rhubarb & Gin-ger Spritz - our welcome drink looked beautifully herbaceous and fit for a garden party. Utilising Tey Brook's own sparkling rosé, I loved the fizz, though I would have welcomed a little more heat from the ginger. Still, it was dangerously smooth and refreshing, and sunset felt like the perfect time to be sipping it
- Ark wines - scattered across the tables were Ark wines from Mount Farm Vineyards, a family-run boutique winery from the Stour Valley Wine District. I drank the Pinot Gris (2023) and loved its skin-contact, orange-wine qualities. It was golden and medium-bodied, boasting notes of toffee apple, honey, cloves, and pear, with a slightly smoky finish that perfectly enhanced the flame-cooked dishes
My Overall Experience At The Wild Table
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Wild Table was unlike anything I’ve experienced before, and one I'd be tempted to repeat in a heartbeat. For each event, Melanie Brown chooses a guiding word for her guests to lean into; this May, it was 'encouragement'. I certainly felt inspired to step out of my usual solitary comfort zone, befriending others, contemplating the food, and fully embracing the communal style of eating. There was something magnetic and deeply fun about ending the night twirling a mini baked Alaska over open flames alongside strangers. The Brownings do an incredible job of maintaining a genuine family feel on the farm, and their relationship with Melanie radiates authenticity. You simply can't help but want to be a part of their world, even if only for an evening.
