Archive for June, 2009

G’Day UK Week

by Andrew on June 23, 2009 in Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

g'dayUK 2009Planned for 24 – 30th June, G’dayUK is a week long initiative that aims to raise the profile of quality Australian wine with the UK consumer. There are a number of activities planned around the theme of food and wine including Australian wine tastings and promotions in Selfridges Food Hall.

The iconic retailer will be hosting a number of Australian-themed G’dayUK activities to help raise the profile of Australian food & wine. Visitors to Selfridges’ Wonderbar will have the opportunity to sample premium Australian wines through the bar’s innovative enomatic machines which offer a wide range of wines by the glass. Dawn Davies, Selfridges Wine Buyer, will also be adding a touch of ‘Down Under’ to the store’s wine shop using themed displays and VIP wine tastings with well-known wine personalities.

Lisa McGovern, Director Wine Australia UK/Ireland/Europe commented:
“We see this as a great initiative through which Wine Australia will be showcasing the excellence achieved and diversity of fines wines now coming out of Australia. Our programme includes new and unique activities for both trade and consumers such as a tutored day for the industry led by the Australian Wine Research Institute on wine judging and evaluation plus the inaugural presentation to consumers of Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines at a glamorous evening event to be held at Australia House.”

Michelin-starred chefs Shane Osborn and Brett Graham will also be creating an Australian-themed food & wine menu exclusively for the Selfridges Restaurant using products that will be available in the Selfridges Food Hall to purchase.

Please visit the website www.gday-uk.co.uk for more information on the initiative

Market Kitchen Local Food Heroes 2009

by Andrew on June 22, 2009 in Television, Radio, Video, Film with No comments

market_kitchenMarket Kitchen Local Food Heroes 2009 launches on Monday 22nd June at 7pm exclusively on Good Food.

Local Food Heroes is back for its fourth consecutive year, and in 2009, it’s airing on Good Food channel’s daily show Market Kitchen. Matt Tebbutt, Market Kitchen’s very own presenter, will be championing all that’s great about regional food businesses with the aim of finding this year’s local food champion.

Market Kitchen will ask food lovers across the nation to nominate and vote for regional businesses that help put great food on our plates. Voting opens on Monday 22nd June and closes on Friday 7th August. Every vote counts, with the number of online votes dictating the top ten businesses in each of the ten regions that go through to the next round.

Once public votes are in, a panel of experts will select three finalists in each region, based on their Local Food Hero credentials (see notes to editors for the set criteria). Market Kitchen will be looking for those committed food businesses that are passionate about their craft, their customers, and their community.

After the panel have made their choices, Matt Tebbutt, who’ll be assisted by fellow Market Kitchen presenter Matthew Fort, will take a roadtrip around the country visiting the three shortlisted candidates in each region. At the end of October, the judges will select one winner from each of the ten regions as well as selecting the overall champion.

The battle hots up in November, as Market Kitchen broadcasts ten regionally themed shows across two weeks. Each regional victor will be announced at the end of each show, and in early December, all ten regional finalists will appear together where the wait will finally be over and this year’s winner will be announced. The overall champion will receive a fabulous trophy, a cheque for £5,000 and hold the highly coveted title of Local Food Hero 2009.

The competition has raised the profile of thousands of local businesses since its launch in 2006. It’s easy to help your Local Food Hero by visiting goodfoodchannel.co.uk and placing your vote.

Vinopolis celebrates its 10th Birthday

by Andrew on June 22, 2009 in Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

vinopolis_balloonsCelebrate ten successful years of wine and entertainment at Vinopolis as it celebrates its tenth birthday on June 30th. Join the party with celebrity wine connoisseur Oz Clarke, Sandy Anderson, chairman of Vinopolis and Rupert Ellwood, Managing Director, for a photo call opportunity at Vinopolis, right by the historic Borough Market.

At 11am, Oz Clarke will release 1000 balloons into the air in the heart of London, each containing a precious cargo. Each balloon will contain two Vinopolis Grapevine ticket vouchers that could float down into any back garden across the country. And whichever lucky person finds the balloon that travels the furthest will also win a mystery prize!

The fun doesn’t stop there though. To celebrate ten years as London’s leading wine, spirits and event destination, the Whisky Exchange at Vinopolis has launched a limited edition 10-year-old whisky available only at the store.

And if whisky’s not your thing, the Bombay Sapphire Bar at Vinopolis has created a delicious Birthday cocktail called the 10/10. 10 different botanicals are used for the exotic mix to celebrate Vinopolis first
decade with an exceptional treat. The special cocktail will be available throughout July and August at the chic Bombay Sapphire Bar at Vinopolis.

Wine and Dine like its 1999
Guests can enjoy a special wine and dine package at Vinopolis offered exclusively to commemorate the year
Vinopolis first opened, 1999. Pay just that – £19.99 for a fantastic package including a Vinopolis Grapevine self guided tour ticket and a one course meal in Brew Wharf. The appetizing menu includes option such as homemade beef burger and wild mushroom pappardelle with parmesan. A glass of red or white wine is on the house so guests can celebrate this joyous occasion with Vinopolis.

No More Porkies

by Andrew on June 19, 2009 in On The Web, Television, Radio, Video, Film with 1 Comment

where_meat_comes_fromDo you always check where the meat you buy comes from? As a nation we are more aware than ever of the need to know where your food has come from – both to support our local farmers and to ensure that the meat we feed our families has been raised to the proper animal welfare standards. But can we always assume that meat labelled as ‘British’ is both reared and produced in the UK?

While we would all think that only products that contain 100% British meat should be labelled as “British” – this is not always the case. When looking at pork as an example, currently products such as pork pies or bacon that are produced or packed in the UK using imported meat can still be labelled as ‘British’ or ‘UK’ produce. Due to the difference in animal welfare standards between Britain and abroad, it is estimated that around 70% of the imported meat would not meet minimal legal requirements for animal welfare here in the UK.

Most of us agree that the current labelling system is incredibly misleading for shoppers. But what can we do to ensure we know where the meat we buy is from and how it has been reared? Lucky for us we have TV presenter, This Morning’s Ruth Langsford, at hand to offer her expert advice on what to look for when buying meat and meat produce. Whether you are preparing a Sunday roast for the whole family, a full English breakfast or putting sausage rolls in the children’s lunchboxes, Ruth has some top advice on how to read food labels to make sure you buy the finest quality meat. Send your questions in now and log on to our WebTV show to find out more.

Ruth Langsford is live online at http://www.webchats.tv/chat/no_more_porkies on 23rd June at 3pm to discuss British pork and labelling.

Britain’s Best Indian to Gain A Michelin Star?

by Andrew on June 18, 2009 in Eating Out, food with 1 Comment

tyneside_indianAn award-winning Tyneside restaurant is Britain’s best Indian eatery, according to a group of celebrity chefs.

Raval Luxury restaurant in Newcastle Gateshead, on the banks of the Tyne, is to be recommended for a prestigious Michelin star by top Tyneside chef Douglas Jordan.

Gaining a star would make it one of only three Indian restaurants in the country to hold such an accolade.

Douglas dined there with a panel of celebrity London chefs after judging a cookery competition nearby, and said: “The visiting judges said they have never experienced modern Indian food of such a high standard. The North –east should be proud to have such a place on their doorstep.”

Paul Gayler of five-star London hotel the Lanesborough added: “The food was fresh, innovative and exciting. I have dined at many Indian restaurants across Britain and Europe, and Raval stands on top.”

Douglas, formerly of Newcastle’s Blackgate Restaurant and now at Jordan’s in Ryton, said: “I am a judge for food guides and I know the Michelin inspectors who make visits. I’m going to recommend that they consider Raval’s for a Michelin star.”

Raval owner Kash Malik said: “We’re delighted to be given a vote of excellence by leading chefs. We only use fresh local produce together with authentic spices, and our innovations include light bites, an early evening menu, a cocktail bar, and even Indian tapas.”

The judges – also including the executive chefs from the Dorchester, Sheraton and Crown Moran hotels in London – were there after deciding on the winner of the North East Chef of the Year competition, organised by NECTA, the North East Culinary Trades Association. Andrew Wilkinson from Newcastle’s Black Door Gallery scooped the award.

Raval has already been awarded the Metro Newcomer of the Year 2007 soon after its opening, and has won NECTA’s Best Restaurant award. Head chef is Ravi who has worked for the five-star Taj Oberoi group in India, and at The Ritz in London.

Food critics from The Guardian have called it “a modern Indian restaurant that punches above its weight” and Marie Claire magazine has described it simply as “a Bollywood stunner”.

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