Slow Food Kitchen: 2012

Friday, 28 December 2012

Donald Russell Christmas Party Box

Christmas parties can be such a drag as there is so much to shop for and prepare. How great would it be if we had a team of elves helping us out in the kitchen. It's not just the big Christmas lunch, there are also all the canapes and tid bits that we ambitiously want to make to thrill our guests with. How about a little short cut? I got a party pack from Donald Russell to try and it came with a variety of finger foods like meatballs, little ham croissants, sausage rolls, fish cakes, mini

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/donald-russell-christmas-party-box

The QOOQ Tablet Roadtest

If you are a regular cook, you would probably have struggled to keep your laptop or tablet away from the food and liquids in the kitchen while trying to read a recipe or watch a cooking video. The answer to this is the QOOQ tablet that is a rugged, waterproof tablet designed for to be used in the kitchen and comes filled with thousands of professional cooking videos and recipes. [caption id="attachment_2321" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Squeezing lemon juice over the QOOQ

The QOOQ culinary tablet review

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/the-qooq-tablet-roadtest

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Festive Chocolate Gingerbread Brownies

So this year, Vanessa Kimball has organised for Rococo Chocolates to host her Let's Make Christmas gift swap. The idea is that you make something according to the theme and bring it along to be entered into a competition. Then you pick a gift from all the goodies that have been brought along while having some tea, mulled wine and lovely baked goods for tea. This year's theme was chocolate so we had to make something with Chocolate in it or to make something from Chantal Coady's book,

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/festive-chocolate-gingerbread-brownies

Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Luxe Glamour at the Grande Bretagne Hotel Athens

Breakfast on the roof terrace of the Grande Bretagne Hotel is dominated by this view of the Acropolis, the ancient monument that dominates the skyline of Athens. [caption id="attachment_2279" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Gran Bretagne, Athens -View of the Acroplois[/caption] Athens is such a charming city, a mix of modern buildings among the ancient monuments like the Acropolis that defines this city. The new metro stations are like mini museums where you can see excavated ruins in

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/luxe-glamour-at-the-grande-bretagne-hotel-ath

Sunday, 25 November 2012

Extreme Fish Filleting at Hyper Japan

There is fish filleting and then there is Extreme Fish Filleting. This is what you do when cutting up a massive tuna for sashimi. I was invited by the lovely people at So Restaurant to witness this at the recent HyperJapan event. [caption id="attachment_2227" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Okonomiyaki Stall, Peko Peko with Teriyaki burgers and the Samurai Wines from Germany[/caption] My last visit to HyperJapan was a bit of a culture shock as I am not into Cosplay, Anime or Manga. This

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/extreme-fish-filleting-at-hyper-japan

The Fabulous Baker Brothers at Harrods

Real bread is a great trend that is catching on in a big way now. TV programmes like The Fabulous Baker Brothers and the Great British Bakeoff have really fuelled the interest in real baking in this country. Tom and Henry Herbert have done their bit in promoting this trend. When their show aired, the twittersphere erupted. Mostly with admiration of new found fans. [caption id="attachment_2210" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Tom and Henry Herbert[/caption] Today, they launched their

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/the-fabulous-baker-brothers-at-harrods

Thursday, 15 November 2012

Thai Oyster Festival at Suda Thai

Oysters, some love them, some won't even get near them and some have never tried them. I love oysters, especially those large platters that the serve in Parisian brasseries with your choice of different species, shapes and sizes. Oysters with Thai flavouring are a whole different way of enjoying fresh oysters. Instead of the usual lemon, tabasco or shallot vinaigrette, instead you add a few slices of lemongrass, some crispy shallots and a thai vinaigrette. It is delicious and complements

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/thai-oyster-festival-at-suda-thai

Thursday, 1 November 2012

Tsurusushi at Friday Night Socials

In a corner of Trafalgar Square, The National Cafe sits hidden beneath the National Gallery and you would probably not notice it unless you were looking for it. The cafe itself is housed in an enormous room with very high ceilings. When full, the acoustics bounce around the wall, creating a raucos din. Peyton-Byrne operate this outlet together with the more casual cafe next door. On this evening, the first of many Friday Night Socials, Tsurusushi was the guest "chef". They offered a

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/tsurusushi-at-friday-night-socials

Sunday, 28 October 2012

Tom Kitchin's Scottish Feast at The Cube

Tom Kitchin is one of top chefs from Edinburgh and after failing to get to his restaurant, The Kitchin, a short while back, I was thrilled that he was cooking at The Cube by Electrolux. I had been to The Cube previously for an amazing lunch by Claude Bosi . Dining at The Cube is a really special event as you feel as if you are a private guest of the chef at a very exclusive meal. There is only space for 20 people and the chef serves and introduces every dish himself. In addition to

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/tom-kitchins-scottish-feast-at-the-cube

Saturday, 27 October 2012

Fabulous Pierre Koffman at the Berkeley

Pierre Koffman of Tante Clare fame has reopened a restaurant in London at the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge. It has taken over the old Boxwood cafe and they have made quite a transformation, it looks more formal but brighter, whereas Boxwood seemed very dimly lit. I was invited for lunch here a while ago and must say they have certainly made an impression. I saw that Christina Ong, the Singaporean socialite who owns half of Bond Street and the Met Hotel was lunching there too. Although she

Fabulous Pierre Koffmann at the Berkeley Hotel

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/fabulous-pierre-koffman-at-the-berkeley

Scotch Beef Masterclass at The Guinea Grill

If you are passionate about knowing where your beef comes from, there is nothing better than lunch with some people who really know their stuff. At a recent lunch hosted by Quality Meat Scotland I got to meet Laurent Vernet, Scotch Beef Master. He is the font of all knowledge to do with Scotch Beef. Why Scotch Beef ? Scotch Beef has a worldwide reputation of being one of the highest quality meats in the world. This is wholly due to the care and stringent quality requirements of meat

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/scotch-beef-masterclass-at-the-guinea-grill

Spicy Ramen has landed in Soho Tonkotsu

On some grey and muggy London days, there is nothing more comforting than a bowl of hot soupy noodles. A new Ramen place has hit London. Tonkotsu is an offshoot of The Tsuru chain. As it is still in soft opening mode, the menu is simple , just a few starters and a choice if ramen for the soft opening, there was just 2 flavours. For starters we had the prawn and pork gyoza, the tofu, a salad and a very tasty chicken karaage. I then had the spicy Tokyo Ramen in a 15 hour pork bones

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/spicy-ramen-has-landed-in-soho-tonkotsu

Friday, 26 October 2012

Ferran Adria speaking at Wayra

Ferran Adria speaking st Wayra about innovation. He also announced the launch of Bulli Pedia .http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/ferran-adria-speaking-at-wayra

Masterclass With Theo Randall and Parmigiano Reggiano

Returning to Theo Randall with great anticipation. Have not been here in a couple of years. I had a terrific meal there the last time with a truly memorable roast pheasant. On this occassion, the people from Parmigiano Reggiano were hosting a dinner with a masterclass by Theo Randall who runs one of the best Italian Restaurants in London. [caption id="attachment_2050" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Tasting 3 different ages of Parmigiano 18, 24 and 30 months[/caption] The star

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/masterclass-with-theo-randall-and-parmigiano

Saturday, 20 October 2012

Chocolate Tales Dean Street For Chocolate Week

Behind this non descript door along a busy street in Soho is like a Narnia Wardrobe into a different time and space. 68 Dean Street is an 18th Century Georgian Townhouse nestled between bustling restaurants and bars and you wouldn't give it a second glance if you walked past. On this occasion, 5 rooms were used to showcase some surprising and delicious treats. Celebrating London Cocktail Week and Chocolate Week, a group of top chocolatiers paired with mixologists from the Manhattan Project

http://slowfoodkitchen.posterous.com/chocolate-tales-dean-street-for-chocolate-wee