Tasting London

If you’re in London this weekend don’t miss the city’s big annual open-air food festival Taste of London which is supported by the city’s best-known chefs. The Big Idea is to give you an opportunity to sample the food at their restaurants. Last night big stars such as Giorgio Locatelli, Gary Rhodes, Angela Hartnett and Michel Roux were all on hand to chat about their food.

Among the dishes I tried (with actual or suggested pairings) were:

* Foie gras mainated with black cherries served with a guignolet (wild cherry) jelly from Pascal Aussignac of Club Gascon and Le Cercle (Guignolet or chilled rosé champagne)

* Seared seabream with soupe au pistou from Galvin at Windows (Moet et Chandon n.v. or dry rosé)

*Oysters from Wright’s Oyster and Porter House (n.v champagne)

* Seared scallops with chilli and lentils from Theo Randall at the Intercontinental (RST Alpha Zeta Soave - Theo’s house white)

* Duck ravioli with orange from Locanda Locatelli (a young Dolcetto or fruity Barbera)

* Asparagus with hollandaise, pickled mushrooms and jambugo ham from Pied-a-Terre (Champagne Henri Giraud, Esprit de Giraud)

* Lobster bisque from Le Gavroche (Gosset Grande Reserve Champagne)

I imagine the lavish amounts of champagne being served will only have applied to opening night but there are plenty of other wines on hand to try!