A new chapter in Formula 1 hospitality is taking shape at Silverstone, where The Vale introduces an elevated trackside experience designed to redefine how guests eat, gather, and engage with the British Grand Prix. The pop-up installation will be at the Formula 1® Pirelli British Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit between 3 and 5 July, and the concept moves beyond traditional hospitality into something closer to a curated cultural environment – part members’ club, part design-led dining destination, and entirely immersed in the rhythm of race weekend.
Labombe at The Vale was unveiled through an exclusive tasting at Trivet, in London where guests were guided through a Michelin-starred menu created by Jonny Lake and his team for the paddock at the corner of Vale. The evening was shaped by precision and restraint, with Isa Bal Master Sommelier and partner, curating a wine programme that mirrored the pace and structure of the food .
The opening courses set the tone immediately: warm Comté gougères, rich and molten at the centre; crisp lamb sweetbread gilda; and wild sea bass with orange ponzu and quinoa, light yet sharply defined. What followed was a progression of layered, seasonal dishes, including farinata with mortadella; farinata with summer leaves and pecorino – a chic pea based dish; halibut “picchio pacchio” with white beans and basil – a nod to my earlier career in Italy a tomato sauce with the fish; and grilled lamb rump with bulgur wheat – more of a Turkish influence paired with baby gem, and peas.
Dessert arrived as a composed finale rather than a conclusion: hibiscus macerated strawberries with goat’s curd and sumac, whisky gelato in brioche with candied pecans, and a butter tart to take away, extending the experience beyond the evening itself.
Wine pairings moved from celebratory flutes of Dom Pérignon to a crisp Sauvignon Blanc and a textured red from Turkey, reflecting the international breadth of the menu. He has over 750 wines available, from the earliest civilisations to the future, when he believes there will be wine on Mars.
The evening was attended by journalists from The Sunday Times, British Vogue, and The Guardian and luxury magazines.
Senior leadership from Silverstone hosted us and offered us an early glimpse into a space designed to sit at the intersection of motorsport, design, and contemporary dining.
Director of Sales Hannah Grosvenor said: “We are on an amazing journey and we have created the Vale Experience this year. This is a really exclusive high end experience they want fine dining, elegant décor, accessibility and they want it all to be easy. We cater to every demographic and we are unbelievably proud and can’t wait to unveil it in 50 days.”
“It is part of a long term journey, we did this with Levi of the creative design agency who came on the journey from the get go – a big moment for us at Silverstone.”
Isa Bal said: “We have a unique approach to listing wine AC to BD and estimating that there will be wine in Mars in 3000. We have sparkling wines and Champagnes and white and red wines. Trivet was opened in November 2019 and Labombe by Trivet in September 2026, which has gained a Michelin star.”
Levi – I run a young design studio in Amsterdam and it is a great project the task of redefining the future of race experiences and establishing a new brand. It is super exciting we are doing the structural design down to the napkins and the ambition of bringing it all to life super excited to be here, from a design perspective it is a dream product, still a long way to go but it is going to be amazing.”
Jonny Lake said: “We are standing in Trivet, founded by myself and my partner Isa, we met in 2005 when we worked at the Fat Duck and developed a unique relationship as sommelier and chef, Labombe was our version of a wine bar with really good food and then in September last year we opened at the Metropolitan hotel in Mayfair. When we were approached to work with Silverstone we though Labombe food was more same high quality and wine knowledge but in a different style and it fits a lot. Tonight we are going to have smaller dishes of which ones we have chosen, all the dishes will be on the menu at the Vale.”
Within the wider framework of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, The Vale positions itself as a new kind of trackside destination. Terraces overlook the pit lane entry and final corners, while guests move between relaxed racing decks, private networking suites, and curated after-hours parties.
With helicopter arrivals, panoramic views towards Parc Fermé, and immediate proximity to the most decisive moments of the circuit, The Vale is not simply about watching Formula 1, it is about fully immersing yourself in the glamour and prestige that Formula One brings, if only for a weekend.
Further information
silverstone.co.uk
About the author
Donna Richardson is a luxury lifestyle and travel writer. She has appeared in ‘Wanderlust’ and ‘Women’s Fitness’. Follow her on Instagram: @journo_donna
