August 2012: Soho tasting

So after the success of high road I moved on to Soho....

Such a tough kitchen to run, Head Leon is a Genius, he cranks out so much food through so many different rooms with virtually no help from the set up of the building. A true chef legend!
Tasting was tough, went well but they are nt really sure what they want to do ... tricky.



Seatrout fish cake with bearnasie and fennel seeds

Duck rillette with crispy skin and cider brandy butter

Shrimp rolled in cured ham with lemon mayo and pea shoots

Wedges of Cheddar with rosemary pickled tomatoes

Lamb cutlets with cucumber and shallot

Butter glazed chicken on torn stuffing with herb mayo

Crispy shrimp and tilapia with chili yuzu mayo and nori seasoning

Roasted peppers and burrata on crisp flat bread

BOWLS
Lamb shoulder and borlottis

Shellfish cocktail

Potato and lentil fritter

PUDDINGS
Strawberry cream and donuts

Cider brandy fudge

Parkin and poached apple

July 2012:High Road House Tasting

So I went along to High Road house for 4 days, three days prep and a tasting day. I was lovely to work alongside Devon and his Team.
Great kitchen crew who all made me feel very welcome and at home.

The tasting went well... hard work

CANAPES

Chicken snitzel with gem, walnut and blue cheese

Gamon and picalilli

Butter glazed chicken, garden peas on torn stuffing

Hereford beef hash fried in beef dripping

Prawns avocado cream and spicy corn

Scallops and black pudding with hollandaise

Pork and squid scratchings with spicy apple sauce

Hot smoked salmon with pickled cucumber, fennel and horseradish

Squash and English mustard tart

Radish mayo and celery salt

Wild mushroom buns

BOWLS
Lamb shoulder with grilled fennel and samphire

Cod with peas, tomatoes and tarragon

Pollack, cucumber and saffron vinegrette

PUDDINGS
Lemon drizzle with clotted cream

Meringues with poached pears and chestnut

Naughty chocolate delice


Let s see what happens next.... SOHO

June 2012: Fast food Standards

On our way back from the Amalfi coast we arrived at Napoli airport, even in the basic restaurant snack bar had a sleection of two olive oils and two vinegars to put on your salads etc....

One day.....

JUNE 2012: Married in Ravello

After all the planning, we got married in Ravello, a truly amazing place.
The day was awesome and unforgetable.

I had to come up with some simple canapes for the hotel as theirs were not good:

Here s the menu we had:

Salami Coralina
Simple thick cut slices of Salmai

Chunks of Reggiano Parmesan

Salmon with pickled cucumber

Marinated garden vegetables with ricotta


The dinner was great the view was perfect and the Prosecco flowed.....

MAY 2012: Tracey Emin BBQ

So mid may I went and worked for Mark, Kevin and Ronnie at HIX.
They had a lovely BBQ project that they wanted looking after as they were in the midst of a brand new Tram shed in Shoreditch.
It was a BBQ in Broadstairs.
Beautiful day in the sun in a garden right on the cliff in broadstairs. Lovely.
After spending New years in Margate a few years ago I can t really tel you how different it all looked with a coat of sunshine.
Me and my mate Charle had an awesome time, cooking Asparagus with Tewkesbury dressing, scalps in their shells with wild garlic, Lamb cutlets, and Woolley Park chicken.

The day was nicely punctuated by 'Bastard' the dog, (I kid you not)  trying to get some food and some great music from none other than Jeremy Healey.

APRIL 2012 :The Suit

Had a mission of a day trying to find/ select a suit for my wedding. It s got to be the second hardest decision after actually picking your bride.
Started my journey at Dean Street Town house and had a massive fry up to fuel me on my way.
My mate Guy and I then graced the doors of Liberty: very cool suits from Vivienne Westwood and Mcqueen. Tom Ford stood out by a mile and was such a pleasure to be fitted. Sadly the guy there smashed my illusion with a bill that made me pale and trembling.
Boateng came a close third but in the end it was the genius of Chris Kerr, bespoke tailor who rocked it for me, Awesome guy, can t recommend him enough!!!!

APRIL 2012 Amalfi Tasting

So april sees me heading off to Ravello Italy. Jules and I are due to get married there in June so we are having an all important tasting to check out the menu.
Ravello is a beautiful place set high in the mountains of the Amalfi coast. Views are at the very least spectacular. The tasting took place on a beautiful sun drench terrace over looking lemon and olive groves perched on the mountains side.
After a few early garnish hiccups the tasting is top notch. Our brief to them was to relax, Italian food is so beautiful when it s simple. Imagine my horror when the Prosciutto and mozzarella arived with parsley and a radish...
The high light was the squash ravioli, which looked great tasted great and was our definite favourite.

After a great tasting for lunch we then headed out to the town square to taste our cake. I had given them a receipe of the finest chocolate cake in the world. The recipe is my mate Ronnies at Hix and its killer. The cake is soft sponge with layers of chocolate tart filling baked in betwen and glazed with chocolate glaze. The chocolate is Amedei: top dollar Italian chocolate from Tuscany: how good does it sound and look!!

We had such a great time, we also sample the best pizza in the world: Marinara, no squid or fishy bits on this, just garlic and oregano and tomato sauce.

It sounds too simple buts its the best Pizza you ll taste here.