“I had a Michelin-star quality meal during a Premier League match – here’s what I found out”

Deputy magazines editor Janine shares her thoughts on one of Aston Villa’s premium hospitality experiences, in her own words

What happens when you arrive?

The 150 Club space has its own private entrance, so it all feels very VIP as you’re whisked upstairs, checked in and seated. I wasn’t sure what to expect; Michelin stars can make restaurants a bit stuffy, but from the moment we sat down, we were made to feel relaxed and welcome, and we quickly settled in with a bespoke cocktail.

What was the meal like?

The menu is designed to be casual with some really elevated touches and Carter’s signature bold flavours.

We had crisp fried baby corn with a jungle dipping sauce, a perfectly juicy Devon white rotisserie chicken with a deeply spiced achari sauce, fresh salads of watermelon and jalapeño, and a noodle salad spiked with little pieces of crunchy chicken skin. They were all flavour-bombs that had our tastebuds dancing.

For dessert, we loved the rich chocolate mousse with sour cherries and syrup, and the fragrant orange blossom crème brûlée, which we enjoyed with a glass of Bolney Estate pinot noir from the premium wine list.

What were our favourite moments?

It was great to see chef Carter himself behind the pass. And as part of the experience, former players stop by your table for a chat – something that Matt loved and took full advantage of with several photo opportunities.

Because our train was delayed, we didn’t have time to fit in dessert before the match started, but they were waiting for us on our table at half time (1-0 to Villa). You can arrive up to three hours before the match starts though, so there’s plenty of time to relax and enjoy the hospitality.

How long can you stay after the game?

Another advantage of the club is you get to keep the same table for the whole day. You can request drinks, so they’re waiting for you at half time (a nice touch to avoid the rush), and the space is available for an hour and a half after the final whistle, so you can relax afterward for a post-match drink and analysis.

As a special VIP experience, it was hard to beat, and the fact Villa won on the day was just the icing on the cake! We’ll be back.

Michelin-starred matchdays

Brad Carter at the 150 Club can be booked as part of a multi-match bundle, where you can book three or five matches and try multiple hospitality spaces, all while saving up to 15%.