This week, I catered an Absolutely Brilliant Dinner Party for Poddi of Botley, a friendly Local Networking group with weekly Breakfast meetings at Botley Grange Hotel. It was a fabulous idea for us all to get together one evening rather than at the crack of dawn and I had the pleasure of cooking for everyone. Providing three courses plus canapes with plenty of wine made for a amazing culinary journey on the Palette, each course being matched perfectly with some fantastic reds and whites from Alexandra Wines of Lock's Heath.
Serving up one of my most popular dishes of Beef Fillet Wellington was always going to be a winner, providing a prime and tender cut, with added flavour from being wrapped with Wild Mushroom and Tarragon Pate and Parma Ham and then being served deliciously moist, being cooked within a Puff Pastry Crust. The extra bonus of having some slow cooked Brisket on the side made for a wonderful dish with the Superbly Rich Red Wine Gravy.
The whole event was a top evening and complete success, conceived of self made entertainment, auspicious and benevolent company and delightfully tempting food. My hat off to the wonderful Michelle, who was a dream helper in the kitchen with me and a superb waitress. :)
Menu
Canapes:
Bruschetta, Baby Plum Tomato, Chilli and Coriander Salsa,
x x x
Serrano Ham, Goats Cheese, roasted Tomato and Basil Pesto
x x x
Crispy Duck roll, Sweet Chilli,
To Begin:
Pressed Duck and Black Pudding Terrine,
Dijon Mayonnaise, Caramelised Red Onion and Balsamic Chutney,
Main-Course:
Beef Fillet Wellington, Wild Mushroom Pate, Puff Pastry, Red wine Gravy,
Slow braised Brisket, Dauphinoise Potatoes,
Green Beans, Carrot Fondant, Chestnut Mushroom,
To Finish:
Trio of Desserts:
Sticky Toffee Pudding, Peanut Butter Ice cCream,
x x x
Cardamom, Vanilla and Honeycomb Brulee,
x x x
Raspberry, White Chocolate and Lemon Curd Cheese Cake.
"Thanks for a fantastic evening, Gary. I'd been looking forward to it for weeks and the expectation was high but you, definitely, rose to the occasion. The food was superb, tasting every bit as amazing as it looks in your photos and I would heartily recommend your service to anyone that wants to do something very special, indeed. The wine and Champagne were also excellent, thanks to Del Taylor at Alexander Hadleigh, and the company just topped everything off. Can't wait for the next time"
Thank you, again. Steve Bimpson.
For further enquiries, please contact me via email or telephone.
Tel: 07775560126 Email: Chef@Chefgary.co.uk
Comments
The food was superb, tasting every bit as amazing as it looks in your photos and I would heartily recommend your service to anyone that wants to do something very special, indeed.
The wine and Champagne were also excellent, thanks to Del Taylor at Alexander Hadleigh, and the company just topped everything off.
Can't wait for the next time.
Thank you, again.