Surreally Nice to Meet You
“Who would I most like to meet over a Knickerbocker Glory? The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland. I’m not sure I’d come out of the experience the same as I went in though..."
This May, we're delighted to unveil a pleasingly surreal new chapter in the delicious history of The Parlour, courtesy of a colourful collaboration with the inimitable British illustrator, Jonathan Burton.
As the new artist-in-residence at The Parlour, Jonathan's new work – titled 'Surreally Nice to Meet You' – is nothing short of a complete reimagining of this famously sweet corner of our Piccadilly flagship.
Surreal and whimsical, colourful and curious, Jonathan's highly-detailed illustrations – infused, as always, with his signature sense of joy, play and creativity – can be found in almost every curve and corner of the restaurant.
Far more than just a renovation, Jonathan's work deliberately blurs the boundaries between the artistic and culinary experience within The Parlour, and invites guests to experience the space as a living illustration, rich with heritage and imagination in equal measure.
Jonathan's illustrations also adorn two fantastical interactive games, just a few steps from the restaurant itself. Inspired by Willy Wonka and Heath Robinson, guests will be given a token to play after their visit to The Parlour is complete.
To celebrate the unveiling of his new work (and the launch of a delicious new menu in The Parlour), we asked Jonathan a few questions about his creative process, his inspirations...and the famous faces with whom he'd most like to share a Knickerbocker Glory.
Jonathan, congratulations on 'Surreally Nice to Meet You'. Can you talk us through the creative process behind your designs?
“It’s unusual for me to work at this scale so it’s a challenge I relished. My first approach was to sketch the two panoramique walls with their long thin format and as I placed some rough characters within the layout going one direction or another.
"The biggest technical challenge I had was to fill the many different shapes and sizes of the walls including wraparound columns. I had to consider the seating arrangements, the windows and the much smaller spaces in between. I must admit it was a head scratcher!
“Generally speaking, my process is to let things happen naturally and not to be too attached to an idea early on: it’s very fluid and I draw and redraw and move things around until there’s a spark of an idea. When I tried a speech bubble of one character saying hello to another it became a lovely way to bring these odd characters together.
“I found that visiting The Parlour before even starting the sketch was vital in seeing the overall scale. My first feeling was one of mild panic, but thankfully, that very quickly turned into excitement and an enthusiasm to getting started."
What were your inspirations for the work? How do you hope it will make guests feel?
“My main point of reference when pitching the idea to Ange Loftus, Head of Brand and Creative Production at Fortnum’s, was that the world is almost Pythonesque, with all the odd characters greeting each other in an overly polite way. I could have easily added ‘I say, anyone for Tennis!’
“With the large scale I wanted to engage the diners with a lot of detail and have some storytelling going on. The flying caterpillar swooping around several walls until he transforms to a Butterfly is little nod to Eric Carle – I loved his work as a child and still do, actually.
"The Lion and the Unicorn are from the Fortnum's logo; I've given each of them a very different twist. There are also many bees travelling across the walls and the cherries seem to be in a race somewhere from one wall to another!"
Newly arrived at
The Parlour
Discover a sweet and savoury assortment of all-new creations at The Parlour – including the impossibly irresistible Cherry Knickerbocker Glory.
Finally, on the 'surreal' theme of the work: which historical, literary or fictional figures would you like to meet over a Knickerbocker Glory?
“I would choose The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland: we would of course have tea along with the Knickerbocker Glory. I’m not sure I’d come out of the experience the same as I went in though!
“Tom Baker as Dr Who would be my second guest: we could take a trip through time and space eating Jelly Babies and together, we could pick up my third invitee, Arthur Dent from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, just before the world explodes.
“And after all those adventures, I would need the calm of Mary Poppins so we can enjoy the ice cream floating near the ceiling.”
Inspiration
Discover The Journal, home to a host of our most delicious stories.
Meet the Lossus Family
Florentines at Fortnum's