Sunday 4 December 2011

Taste of Christmas, Jamie O, Hugh W-F and I am a pig

It's a ritual for me that started about 3 years ago that I must visit the Taste of Christmas or as I call it 'Pork Fest 2011' (you'll see why soon) event in London. This time especially is a must visit because my food hero, Jamie Oliver is making an appearance.

I arrived on time but the queue to the theatre where Jamie is going to do his cooking demonstration was already a mile long. I thought no chance I'm getting in now. Arrgh!! Then I suddenly realised that I have a VIP ticket and so I asked one of the staff and it's true, with the VIP ticket I was given priority to the theatre which actually was already packed. I was happy nonetheless.


Opening speech and thank yous to the sponsors of the event by the host and then it's time for Jamie. He cooked goose with Asian spices (think of roast Peking duck) which smelled incredibly delicious. He showed us what to do with the leftovers as well, a wonderful warm goose salad. He was funny and charming. Too bad there was no Q+A session with him or book signing.

After Jamie's cooking demonstration, I waited around for a bit to see of I can catch him but there must be a special hidden passage for him and the security was everywhere. I sadly had to abort plan B and C.

Oh well, by this time I was starving and ready to get me some food. If you've never heard about this event before, it's basically a gathering of restaurants and food producers serving and selling seasonal menus and  ingredients. I especially love all the free samples. There are sections for cheeses, chocolates, chutneys, nuts, wines and liqueurs, etc, I'm sure you get the idea.

First on my stop was Jamie Oliver's Fabulous Feast and I had the beautiful Royal Berkshire estate pork shoulder rubbed with roasted fennel and sea salt and smashed apple sauce. Yum! This was so good, the pork was tender and the apple sauce was sweet and tangy. I was only a bit worried about the bread. I find often with sandwiches or burgers, the filling/patty is delicious, but the bread is sometimes disappointing. The bread was pretty good too, so I was well happy.



After this quick bite, I returned to the theatre and guess who's next? It was Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall! I almost didn't recognise him because of his new hair. He was absolutely brilliant! So glad I made it again to this event this year.


After the delicious cooking demonstration which I can only smell but not taste, I need more food, like slow roast free range pork belly with Bramley apple sauce, root vegetable mash and port reduction from Roast, one of my favourite food stalls at Borough Market. Cracking crackling I must say.


With the food, I needed some drinks now, so I went to the drinks section and had samples of wines, bubblies and liqueurs. Every year I seemed to discover something new. A couple years ago I was introduced to Todka, that is toffee flavoured vodka. Delicious just with ice or in espresso martini for Christmas morning or frankly any time. This year, I found Amarula, a creamy caramelly liqueur made from marula fruit. I had to get a bottle. I was definitely in my Christmas spirit.

Whilst walking around, this guy suddenly came up to me with a tray and asked, "would you like to try Pussy?" (yes, you read that right). I was like "eh, what?!" Am I still at the same event? or have I moved to London's Sexpo? (a real event by the way which I've never been). I saw the stall and it's true, it's Pussy natural energy drink. The name no doubt grabs everyone's attention. I had a taste and it's actually quite nice. It's made with grape juice, limes, lychees and also infused with six botanical herbs including ginseng and ginkgo biloba.

Few minutes passed and I was hungry again. I do wonder sometime how and where do I store all these foods. This honey-rhum glazed pot roast of pork from Asia de Cuba restaurant was another excellent dish. It was served with sauteed Shanghai bok choy, fried plantains and enoki mushrooms.


With all these savoury dishes, I think I could just about squeeze one dessert and I had been eyeing the lemon cream by Francesco Mazzei of L'Anima. It's layers of sponge cake soaked in limoncello and lemon cream. It was good, but not tart enough for me. Completely a personal thing, I like my lemon dessert really tangy.


I had a wonderful day and was so full. Until next year I guess. Though I am already in the look for the summer event.

20 comments:

  1. I spent yesterday at Taste and had just the most, most fun! Such a great day out.

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  2. I'm so sad to have missed this, looks like so much fun. I went to the Country Living Christmas show and headed straight for the food hall, which was soo disappointing, not a freebie in sight!! This sounds much better, jealous of your lovely foodie day! x

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  3. wowzer, whast a fun thing to attend. I will take one each please.

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  4. Aaaargghhhh you are torturing me! You could have saved at least one of those amazing looking pork dishes for me. Not speaking to you now.

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  5. Oooh this event looks like so much fun - and fab that you finally got to see Jamie. Don't worry though, one day you'll get to meet him properly and tell him all about your fantastic project! :D

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  6. oh looks like so much fun sorry you didn't get to meet Jamie

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  7. It all looks great, except the dessert, which I assume is one of those dishes that doesn't photo well.

    And you're just discovering Amarula? It's an old friend from my high school days. You watch. It comes out of the cupboard at a certain point in the evening where funny hats seem hilarious.

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  8. Did you just say pork fest and pussy all in the same post??? HAHAHAHA!!! Love it!!!

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  9. I think I was more of a pig than you! I'm so incredibly jealous that you got to see jamie and hugh ): that said, i did see other british chefs that I quite like also.. but STILL!! oh i had the pork belly from roast too. agree. cracking crackling.

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  10. Sounds like a great day!!
    But, purleeeese, there's no earthly way I could ask for 'a pussy' without breaking into a fit of school girl giggles!!!

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  11. What a fun event, to attend...such amazing and yummy dishes. So sorry you didn't get to meet Jamie, in person!

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  12. What a cool day you had and the food you had looks incredibly delicious and I agree with you about tangy lemon. That's some pretty clever marketing with the drink! I so admire Jamie and think he is the most 'down to earth' and genuine, of all the celeb cooks!!!

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  13. Lucky you that you had a VIP ticket! At least you got in to see Jamie...sorry you didn't get to meet him. Sounds like a great time and good food and drinks. I'd love to taste the toffee vodka, I already like Amarula!

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  14. What a fun and delicious event! That honey rum glazed porkroast looks terrific.

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  15. Pork fest indeed! Was there any other sort of meat there, or is just one of those animals you can't pass over?

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  16. What a great event, is it all pork or is that just your choice? I would love to see Jamie live, lucky you had a VIP ticket. GG

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  17. You had a VIP ticket to see Jamie's live demo? You swine! (LOL, pun intended). Looks like you had a fab old time, with all that lovely food you got to try. Never heard of that second guy, but thanks to you, I'm off to check him out right now!

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  18. oh Jamie! Such an event! I love your apple post... how you doing michael? :)

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  19. Really appreciate you sharing this article.Thanks Again.

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