Slice of Life

By Peter Gordon - June 2008

Borough Market filming and Sarah, dine’s new manager

May 1 started at 8am with a filming day at Borough Market for the show ‘Market Kitchen’ in which I cooked six different dishes. I’ve appeared on the show several times before, filmed in their studio, as I’ve mentioned previously, once cooking Firstlight Wagyu sirloin for Tom Parker Bowles (yes … the son of Camilla) which he really enjoyed. On this particular day however I was in the market itself, cooking in between cloud bursts, showers of hail stones and glaringly bright sunshine. Not sure what the final edit will look like, but we had a great time. I’d brought some home made miso over from Japan9see last month’s blog), made by my friend Akiko’s mother, and I used this to season some new season’s asparagus, cooked with a little mirin and ginger, and it was absolutely delicious.

The last recipe we filmed was a version of tempura vegetables, but I made a beer batter instead, and I was lucky enough to be able to find a bottle of Speights ale in the market - this was lucky, as the market is generally seen as a source of seasonal British food. That however is changing, with one of the more popular stalls focussing entirely on Spanish produce. Brindisa has been trading as a produce supplier to restaurants for almost 20 years now. I first bought their Manchego cheese when I cooked at First Floor restaurant on Portobello Road back in 1990, and I’ve been buying delicious ingredients from them ever since. Three years or so ago they opened their first tapas bar, Tapas Brindisa, and I helped them with kitchen design and general questions and answers. Since opening day they’ve been packed to the rafters, and their food is wonderful. Often simple, relying on the best ingredients that they of course source; they are a must-do on a visit to the market.

Also if you are there you need to check out Orkney Rose, a stall that specialises in Orkney Island produce, a group of Islands to the North of Scotland. Here the waters are bracingly cold, the weather robust and fresh, and the produce of exceptional quality.

Rose Grimond set up the company to distribute the Orcadians’ fine produce, her family having links that go back a long time to the islands. If you have the time, pre-book some of their North Ronaldsay Island hogget when it’s in season, from October to March, and you’ll be in for a taste treat. This particular breed of sheep dates back to Neolithic times and is incredibly hardy and robust – much like the islands themselves. They also survive almost entirely on a diet of seaweed – which flavours their flesh in a strangely salty way.

And while you’re there, if in need of a coffee break, head to Monmouth coffee, on Park Street, right opposite Brindisa. Monmouth have been blending our own Providores Blend coffee for almost seven years, and these days they’ll even be able to make a flat white for you. Next door is Neal’s Yard Dairy – one of the best cheese shops in London and well worth a visit. Their staff are incredibly knowledgeable, so make the most of your visit, taste some cheese with the help of one of their team and leave with your bags packed full.

However, the best news of all in May was that Sarah McDonald was appointed as manager at my restaurant dine by Peter Gordon in the SKYCITY Grand Hotel. Sarah comes to us after spending a year at Bracu restaurant and she brings with her a wealth of knowledge and a wonderful team building spirit. Sarah has a love of wine and food, and I’m really looking forward to working with her over the coming months to give the restaurant little tweaks here and there. One of the memorable conversations I’ve had with Sarah centred around Timor and buttons. You’ll have to ask her.

I’ll be back in Auckland late July and look forward to getting our winter menu up and running. Until then, have a look at some of London’s best suppliers…

www.orkneyrose.com

www.boroughmarket.org.uk

www.brindisa.com

www.nealsyarddairy.co.uk

www.monmouthcoffee.co.uk

Cheers, Peter