Archive for September, 2009

Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark Masterclass- Live from Loretto, Kentucky

by Andrew on September 22, 2009 in Blog Events, Television, Radio, Video, Film with No comments

distillery_liveThe world of whisky is varied and fascinating – with the top distilleries employing centuries of exacting standards to ensure each bottle tastes like a dream. For those who know their Bourbon from their Malts, the history and provenance of their favourite dram adds a flavour of authenticity to the rich aromas and complex, smoky notes that assault the senses in such a seductive way.

This painstaking pursuit of perfection can reveal itself in unexpected and wonderful ways, like the link between Maker’s Mark Bourbon and Laphroaig. From the Ozark mountains from which Maker’s Mark source their oak to the special “air drying” techniques used in preparation of their barrels (after maturing Maker’s Mark to perfection) they are shipped nearly 4,000 miles from Loretto, Kentucky to the Laphroaig distillery on the south shore of the Isle of Islay to enjoy a second life creating the unique taste and world-class reputation that Laphroaig expressions are so famous for.

In 2007 Laphroaig held the world’s first ever live online whisky tasting in London garnering one of the highest online broadcast audiences ever, this was followed up by last year’s live broadcast direct from Laphroaig’s home on the Scottish island of Islay gaining an even larger audience.

Some of the world’s top whisky experts and Master Distillers are gathered together for Distillery Live 2009 direct from the Maker’s Mark distillery in Kentucky. Online a tasting of Maker’s Mark and a few of the different Laphroaig expressions will be hosted, exploring how they can be enjoyed in cocktails and even add their subtle flavours to food in cooking. However, there will of course be time to appreciate the glory of both Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark straight.

At this tasting will be President of Maker’s Mark Bill Samuels Jr and their Master Distiller Kevin Smith, as well as John Campbell, Distillery Manager for Laphroaig and famous whisky writer John Hansell.

Bill Samuel Jr, John Campbell, Kevin Smith and John Hansell will be live online at www.distillerylive.us.com on Saturday 26th September at 01.00 BST (Friday 25th September 20:00 EST) to take part in this fascinating story of Laphroaig and Maker’s Mark.

Click here to submit questions before the chat www.distillerylive.us.com. Anyone whose question is read out during the live show will receive a special prize.


Valvona & Crolla 75th Anniversary Dinner

by Andrew on September 21, 2009 in Books For Cooks, Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

valvina_crolla_bookFamed Italian deli and wine merchant Valvona & Crolla are hosting a 75th Anniversary Dinner on the 16th October. The event kicks off at 19:34 hours!

Join Mary Contini to Celebrate the 75th Anniversary year of Valvona & Crolla with a four course meal of recipesfrom her new book published 1st October. A selection of four wines will accompany the meal.
After dinner Mary will talk about the book, her travels in Italy, and the history of Valvona & Crolla over the past 75 years. Dinner without the book £60 per person.

More details on the dinner on the Valvona & Crolla website.

The book in question is Valvona and Crolla: A Year at an Italian Table available for pre-order on Amazon for £15 (Published price £25).

Valvona & Crolla has been described as ‘the Sistine chapel of continental delis’. Founded in 1934 by the Continis’ ancestors, the Italian shop and restaurant is legendary in food circles for its excellent food and drink. Now, co-owner Mary (author of the bestselling “Dear Francesca ” and co-author of the “Easy Peasy: Real Food For Kids Who Want to Cook” series) presents 200 delicious and authentic recipes. Organised season by season, the book offers a year of sumptuous delights from around the country of her heritage, together with recommendations for wines to match them. Starting with the festive flavours of winter, such as a creamy chestnut soup with smoked pancetta, moving on to the best of spring’s vegetables with a broad bean and spinach frittata, fresh seafood dishes in the summer, and finishing with the truffles, olive pressings and slow-cooked casseroles of the autumn, this beautifully written and evocatively photographed book adds up to a food diary of personal stories, history, anecdotes and recipes, all imbued with the warmth and local knowledge that only a true Italian family, passionate about food, can deliver.

Win A Wine-Lover’s Trip To New Zealand With Averys

by Andrew on September 18, 2009 in On The Web with No comments

averys_logoThroughout the month of October 2009 Averys will be running a competition with a genuinely spectacular prize. One lucky customer will win a one-week trip for two to New Zealand.

The prize will comprise return flights to New Zealand for two (courtesy of Air New Zealand), luxury accommodation for six nights in one of Auckland’s finest hotels, vineyard visits around Auckland including Waiheke Island as well as luxury accommodation at a New Zealand winery for one night, which will feature a winery tour with a winemaker and the opportunity to help make some wine.

The prize is being offered in association with Invivo Wines, a new and innovative New Zealand wine company. In August 2008 Invivo launched its first wine – some 215 years after Averys was established – and the company hasn’t looked back since. Taking a very contemporary approach, Invivo epitomises everything that is great about New Zealand wine.

Invivo Sauvignon Blanc 2009, available from Averys, is pale lemon yellow with archetypal Marlborough gooseberry and passion fruit aromas. The wine is crisp and vibrant with lively but restrained tropical fruit flavours and subtle mineral nuances.

The winners of this competition will have the opportunity to see at first-hand what makes New Zealand one of the world’s greatest wine regions. As John Avery MW explains; “back in 1978 I visited New Zealand for the first time and, as a result, Averys became the first importer of New Zealand wines to the UK. Since then, we have had a strong bond with the region’s most influential and talented winemakers so it seems entirely appropriate to offer our customers this great prize.”

Customers buying a case of wine from Averys – whether ordering online, by telephone or by post – in October will be entered into the prize drawer. The trip to New Zealand will take place in February. The competition is not open to under-18s.

The competition will run on the Averys website www.averys.com

Brick Lane Curry Festival

by Andrew on September 16, 2009 in Eating Out, Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

brick_lane_curry_festivalBrick Lane Curry Festival returns even bigger, better and tastier than before in 2009, spicing up Europe’s Curry Capital once again, as it pays homage to the nation’s favourite dish – the curry!

Launching on Sunday 27th September 2009, the free to attend two-week festival will comprise a hearty celebration of exotic food, culture and the full flavours of the East, running until Saturday 10th October 2009.

Brick Lane Curry Festival is renowned as one of UK’s biggest and most exciting cross cultural street parties. The launch event on 27th September will take shape as a buzzing street festival of sumptuous cuisine and al fresco dining; eclectic music, dance and street art performances; stalls providing unique Bangladeshi snacks and sweets; and ushers in traditional Indian costumes, snake charmers and chanachur walas (traditional snack sellers) entertaining visitors.

For the days following the lively street gastronomic extravaganza until Saturday 10th October, restaurants along the entire length of Brick Lane will provide festive menus, special offers and live entertainment.

Ahead of the Launch event, Wednesday 23rd September will witness the Best Curry Competition, when the Restaurant of the Year: Brick Lane ‘09 will be selected by way of the biggest public curry cook-off Europe has ever seen! The winner will be selected by a panel of four judges, comprising a well-known celebrity, MP, high profile dignitary and a specially selected member of the public.

Brick Lane Curry Festival commences with the Launch Event on Sunday 27th September, running until Saturday 10th October. The Best Curry Competition will take place on Wednesday 23rd September.

To win the opportunity of joining the panel of judges for the Best Curry Competition, members of the public can simply log on to the official festival website: www.bricklanecurryfestival.com

Quash the Squash

by Andrew on September 14, 2009 in On The Web with No comments

quash_the_squash

Hi Andy,

I’m writing on behalf of the RSPCA, raising awareness of its urgent campaign to protect the welfare of UK meat chickens. I thought this topic may be of interest to you and your readers at http://thefoodielist.co.uk, so I was wondering if you would be so kind as to cover this campaign in a blog post?

Right now, the government is considering new EU legislation that may increase the number of chickens allowed in rearing sheds. Even at current minimum standards, each bird is given less space than a sheet of A4. It’s hard to walk or even flap their wings. But this legislation would allow yet more birds to be squashed in, cutting that space by almost a quarter.

We desperately need your readers to join us in urging Jim Fitzpatrick, Minister for Animal Welfare, to make the right choice for UK chickens and quash the squash, by sending an email via our campaign website at http://bit.ly/quash. Mr Fitzpatrick’s decision is imminent and we want 15,000 letters to be sent before he makes his decision.

We also have created a short film called Irritating Chicken to highlight the plight of broiler (meat) chickens’ if EU legislation on living conditions is brought into force in the UK. The purpose of the stunt was to invade people’s personal space and make them feel what is like being squashed into a chicken shed. The video can be found at http://bit.ly/ichick.

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