I've spent the last month creating ferdiesfoodlab and it's been a very, very, busy month I can tell you. There's been a lot of hecticness (it's a real word), and a fair amount of, is this really going to work? Anyway, here's the recipe. . .
INGREDIENTS (serves 28)
1 passionate ferdie (with an idea and nowhere to do it)
1 passionate organisation (with a venue and nothing to do with it - Toynbee Hall)
some willing friends in the kitchen and front of house (Albert, Jo, Marc)
2 extra chefs (Jen aka Cook School Cat & Robbie of NoReservations)
2 photographers (Jo Maynard, Steve Berryman)
1 wine connoisseur (Nathan Nolan of Mr Drink n Eat)
1 bar of self belief (broken into chunks and snorked at regular intervals)
a pinch of doubt (to keep it real)
a small dose or terror
(again to keep it real - you can substitute with fear but doesn't keep it as real)
as much luck as you can get hold of (very scarce ingredient, seems to come in packs of 3)
1 surprise concert pianist
1 table of guests (not the grumpy sort - good quality ingredients are critical!)
(including London Foodie, Claudia of Whiteroom Supperclub & Gail of A Girl in Walthamstow)
small hoard of unknown quantities (these are a bit like luck and really add to the depth of flavour)
I'm sure I've forgotten something . . . : ? oh yes, a menu!
APPARATUS
1 6 ring burner
1 convection oven
1 blender
10 baking trays
sharp chefs knives
various kitchen utensils
white board pen (not permanent!!)
METHOD
Be invited by passionate organisation (in this case Toynbee Hall) to use their venue. Go to look at venue and meet the passionate custodians of the hall.
Be blown away by the venue, and spend the weekend cooking for friends at their engagement party and talking about it.
Return to Hereford (or other homely sunny place), and get some sunshine on your face. I remember one time a very long time ago, a friend of mine told me, "If you stand facing the sun all the shadows fall behind you". I love the sun on my face it always puts me in such a good mood!
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| I love you sunshine! Please don't take my sunshine away!! |
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| Facing the sun! You're not doing it right! |
Now use those positive thoughts to work some ferdie magic and go and find some cool things that would create a nice atmosphere in the venue.
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| Harry Copper! : ) Ferdie magic! Get it? - I couldn't help myself |
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| A bit of elbow grease, a drill and some rotary sand paper. |
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| It didn't look much in the reclaim yard. . . . |
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| We served 5hr "will you marry me" slow roast lamb in it - Photography by Steve Berryman |
don't forget, upcoming dates Fri 9th Sep, and Fri 23rd Sep
at Toynbee Hall near Aldgate East.
in the next episode . . . .
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| Barents Sea King Crab - Stunning Ingredient |
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| A really lovely crowd came to help test run : ) Photography by Jo Maynard (Artist) |
Its a brave move, good on you. I know there will be alot of happy diners that will be glad you did.
ReplyDeleteThat Hall looks fantastic, my sort of place :)
You did a good job on those copper pans too, I'm going to keep my eye out for some too now!
Thank you! Yeah I was blown away by the venue when I saw it. I'll put up pics of the food soon! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, reclaim the six ring burner!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab venue. What an inspired idea.
See you at Tech N Taste event...