A preview of The MENU at Taste

Five world-famous chefs will each cook a course of one very unique meal at Taste of London this June. The Artful Diner was lucky enough to join them a couple of months beforehand in the test kitchen at Bluebird…

It’s not every day that you get the likes of Angela Hartnett and Bruno Loubet together to cook and chat with, let alone try their food at the same meal. This summer, 400 lucky people will sit down in the Secret Garden to a menu cooked by Angela and Bruno plus Nuno Mendes, Wolfgang Puck and Jason Atherton [see the Special Offer below]. But today is my chance for a sneak preview, as three of the chefs and two representatives (for Jason and Wolfgang) cook through their dishes with head chef Mike Dewing of The MENU event coordinator Cinnamon Candy.

Catching up with David...

First to arrive is Wolfgang Puck’s executive chef at Cut, David McIntyre. The dish he’ll be cooking is a duo of USDA prime black Angus beef, which consists of some deliciously tender grilled New York sirloin and slow-cooked short ribs. Unsurprisingly, we end up talking about beef, more specifically the difference between UK and US beef – David saying he finds UK grass-fed beef more gamey than its grain-fattened US counterpart.

Bruno on salted watermelon and his new restaurant

Wolfgang’s course is third, so Bruno gets into the kitchen first to create his amuse bouche, which combines poached lobster with salted watermelon, curry mayonnaise and garlic flowers. The use of a little salt with watermelon is a tip he learned from his mother to make the watermelon even more refreshing.

We all sample his delicious vegetarian dish (to be revealed nearer the date) and Bruno shares with me the fact that his new restaurant will actually be very vegetable-oriented, although not completely vegetarian. “It’s an idea I’ve had for about 20 years, and now I have all the things to make it happen – the right place, the right people,” he says. “London is ready for something new.”

San Marzano with Angela and a well-travelled Portuguese from Nuno

Next up is Angela’s first course of San Marzano tomatoes with burrata, basil purée and black olive powder – made extra special by slow-roasting the tomatoes. Inspired by a Michel Bras dish she once tried, according to Angela, it is a real winner on the menu at Murano.

Back in the kitchen, I watch Nuno Mendes calmly working on his dish of cod with cod tripe and a stew of onions, parsley and potatoes. The dish has been inspired by Portugal but with components, such as dashi, from Japan – he calls it “a Portuguese that has travelled”. His use of charred milk skin is also borrowed from the Japanese use of soya milk skin.

Prime Angus beef then a strawberry hit for dessert

Everyone falls onto the plates as they come out, with David’s beef unsurprisingly proving to be a big hit. The fifth and final course is Jason Atherton’s intensely strawberry dessert of compressed strawberries, frozen wild strawberries and strawberry and beetroot sorbet served with burnt basil meringue, lemon balm and basil purée.

As the food comes round we all – the chefs, team from Taste and chief planner Marina Souter from Cinnamon Candy – taste each dish and at the end it’s really clear why this idea works so well. Each course is utterly unique; five world-class yet different chefs are bringing five individual styles to one table. This, it seems, is the recipe for creating a meal that won’t leave you stuffed, just very well fed.

See the full menu, plus see a gallery of images from the day, below.

SPECIAL OFFER*

 The Menu by Taste of London

·         Exclusive early access via private entrance
·         Access to the luxurious Secret Garden
·         Exclusive use of the Menu by Taste of London (accommodates 120 guests per session)
·         Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle and canapés reception
·         A five-course tasting menu designed by legendary chefs Angela Hartnett, Bruno Loubet, Jason Atherton, Nuno Mendes and Wolfgang Puck
·         Personal chef introductions and Q&As
·         Each course will be paired with the finest wine, champagne or cocktail
·         Complimentary bar (spirits, wine, beer and soft drinks)
·         £20 worth of Crowns per guest to spend within the event
·         Priority seating in key theatres and features
·         Waiting staff in attendance throughout
·         Luxury private bathrooms
·         Exclusive Taste of London gift bag
·         Complimentary Taste of London recipe book

Special offer price to Artful Diner readers: £350 (+ VAT) per person

Normally priced at: £395 (+VAT) per person

*Terms & Conditions Apply

·         Bookings are subject to availability
·         Minimum table booking numbers apply

For more information and to check availability, please contact Shalina Miah directly on 0207 244 3155 or email shalinam@brandevents.co.uk.