Shad Thames’s Blueprint CafeÌ has mapped out a quartet of dinners designed to tour some of Britain’s finest flavours.
Chef Patron Mini Patel has invited brewers, winemakers, distillers and fishmongers to showcase their products, each supported by a matching menu from Fife to Cornwall – these Thursday night dinners represent a gastronomic journey around the nation.
A night of South Downs wines is on 26th July, when Mini welcomes Nyetimber’s Steffan Griffiths and a clutch of the producer’s choice bottles.
Raised by a Master of Wine, Steffan grew up touring Europe’s vineyards and discovered Nyetimber while hosting events in the cellars of Berry Bros. & Rudd. This five-course menu will kick off with Nyetimber’s Classic CuveÃŒÂe Multi-Vintage matched with Hot, sweet and sour Colchester oysters and also makes room for Baked Cornish sole, gooseberries, preserved fennel and citrus with a glass of RoseÌ Multi-Vintage.
The next stop on the flavour trail is just 1.5 miles away in South Bermondsey, home to the Small Beer Brew Company. Brewed between 0.5 and 2.8% ABV.
Co-founder James Grundy will join Mini at Blueprint CafeÌ on Thursday 23rd August, when these innovative beers will be matched to five meat-focuse courses, including the Original Small Beer Lager with Short rib croquettes with mustard mayonnaise, and the Small Beer Steam with Grilled sirloin of Hereford beef with lovage, sticky brisket, wild mushrooms and dripping-cooked chips.
On 27th September, Mini’s British odyssey concludes all the way down in Cornwall. The region’s fish and seafood supplier Flying Fish will be visiting the restaurant, to bring a flavour of the coast to the shores of the Thames.
Drawing the catch of the day from boats in Looe, Brixham, Newlyn and Plymouth, Flying Fish is devising a menu with Mini to accentuate its sparkling-fresh produce.
Links to all dinners:
An Evening of English Wine and Fizz:
An Evening of British Beef and Beer:
Cornish Fish and Seafood Dinner: details to be revealed soon