Taste of London, Regent’s Park, London, 18-21 June 2009

Gastronomy couldn’t be more democratic this summer. Over 40 of the capital’s hottest eating spots are descending on London’s leafy Regent’s Park for the world’s greatest restaurant festival – Taste of London (18-21 June 2009), in partnership with British Airways. Where else can you enjoy the best cuisine from the most exclusive restaurants – including the Michelin-starred glitterati – on the same day, in such a
glorious setting? From Indian (Benares and Tamarind), French (Le Gavroche &L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon) to Asian (Sumosan & Cocoon) and Modern British (Tom’s Kitchen and Rhodes 24) cuisine, there’s a signature dish created by a top chef to seduce every palate. Whilst enjoying first rate food, what could be better than sipping a glass of Laurent-Perrier – the Official Champagne of Taste Festivals UK.

With new restaurants added to the Taste line-up including Bentley’s Oyster Bar & Grill, Quo Vadis, L’Anima, Pont de la Tour, Odettes, Cinnamon Kitchen and Asia de Cuba, it’s easy to see why Taste of London is the highlight of the summer calendar.There’s also the chance to meet celebrated chefs up close and personal at the live cooking demonstrations andtopical food debates. Watch out for Atul Kochhar, Giorgio Locatelli, Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall, Gary Rhodes, Richard Corrigan and Tom Aikens (to name but a few). Gourmet Features

Official sponsor Waitrose will be hosting an interactive food feature in the Taste Kitchen. Waitrose food experts will be working alongside Taste’s top gastronomes to demonstrate how to prepare original, exciting dishes using top quality ingredients.

Once replete, there will be an opportunity to meet the chefs face-to-face in the Foyles Book Signing tent. There’s also a Taste Theatre where the chefs will be feverishly sautéing, chopping, dicing and flambéing leaving audiences in bewildered awe. For the more bacchanalian inclined, the Taste Wine Theatre calls on visitors to pit their wits against the experts.

Taste Kitchen

The Taste Kitchen will be used to educate and inspire customers. Neil Nugent has designed a menu using essential Waitrose ingredients – one starter, one main and one dessert (please see attached document for menu.) There will be 4 half hour demonstrations per afternoon and evening session. The first three will have Neil Nugent or chefs from the Waitrose sponsored Bournemouth Specialised Chefs Scholarship course showing customers how to cook each dish from the menu and then the final demonstration will have a Taste celebrity chef cooking a dish using Waitrose ingredients. To enhance the demonstrations we will have a Waitrose host, Bianca Nice, Food consultant for Waitrose and guest buyers who will be knowledgeable about Waitrose products, their sourcing and authenticity.

Waitrose restaurant

We will be selling tasters of the full menu created by Neil in our very own restaurant. The price points will be 6 crowns (£3) for starter and dessert and 8 crowns (£4) for the main. These tasters will be cooked by the Waitrose sponsored Bournemouth Specialised Chefs.

There will be incentive vouchers with £5 off £50 spend handed out with a recipe card in both the Taste Kitchen and restaurant to encourage customers to purchase the products at a Waitrose branch and cook the recipes at home.

Cocktail making

Customers will be given the opportunity to come onboard one of our vehicles to make their very own ‘Waitrose Taste of Summer Cocktail’. These will consist of fresh fruit and juices from our essential range and will give customers the opportunity to learn about Waitrose products, in particular essential Waitrose range, in a fun and interactive way. The price of doing this will be 4 crowns (£2) . To entice customers onto the vehicle we will have mixologists offering cocktail demonstrations in a garden area outside – Taste of London only.

Laurent-Perrier Champagne Masterclass

For a luxurious experience not to be missed, book in for Taste’s top ticket -the Laurent-Perrier Champagne Masterclass (£75 per person). This includes an exclusive champagne and seafood pairing session with London’s top sommeliers. Guests are taken through a taste experience to remember, as they discover the diverse range of fine quality champagnes from Laurent-Perrier – one of the most distinguished family-owned Champagne houses.

Or simply book a VIP ticket to Taste, which includes a complimentary glass of the deliciously fresh Laurent-Perrier Brut L-P NV Champagne in the comfortable surroundings of the VIP Lounge.

A Taste of Thailand

This year Taste of London is ‘turning Thai’ with a section of the show dedicated to this vibrantly spiced country. Taste of Thailand includes Benja, Blue Elephant, Busaba Eat Thai, Mango Tree and Nahm, along with specialist exhibitors. Inhale the aromas, sample the cuisine, and delight in the music and live cultural shows. British Airways Country Garden

Visitors can chill out to the jazz vibes in the British Airways Country Garden. Sit back, relax and be treated to the personal touch from the British Airways ambassadors who will be giving you the opportunity to win some amazing prizes.

Peugeot French Flair Theatre

To celebrate the launch of the new Peugeot 308 CC, celebrity chefs will be demonstrating recipes showcasing the flair and sophistication that only French cuisine can offer. Watch out for accomplished chefs Pascal Aussignac (Croque Garson), Jean-Christophe Ansanay-Alex (Ambassade de l’Ile) and Jun Tanaka (Pearl) who will be staging a vibrant display of stylish seasonal dishes from their acclaimed restaurant menus.

Tropicana World Breakfast Bar

Tropicana, the UK’s number one juice brand will be hosting the Tropicana WorldBreakfast Bar serving mouth-watering breakfasts and juices to coincide with breakfast times in five different countries around the world. Try a sumptuous stack of New York blueberry pancakes, a bowl of Jamaican green banana porridge and other delicious, authentic breakfasts created by international chefs from the UK’s top restaurants – all served with a refreshing glass of Tropicana.

Pepsi RAW Cocktail Academy

Making its debut at Taste of London is Pepsi RAW, the new cola from Pepsi that uses only naturally sourced ingredients. Pepsi RAW has partnered up with the world famous Bar Wizards to offer a selection of exclusive cocktails at its Cocktail Academy. Famed for their success on Britain’s Got Talent, the Bar Wizards will be giving their signature ‘flair’ demonstrations as they mix, serve and sell Pepsi RAW’s special cocktails. The winner of the Pepsi RAW competition to find the next ‘cocktail king’ will also be announced at Taste of London.

King of the Grillers

This year, Calor is turning its attention to the man of the barbecue to show that alfresco dining can be much more than burnt bangers and burgers. Stop by the stand for advice on creating tasty barbecued dishes, with recipe influences from around the world. Calor will be hosting cooking demonstrations with celebrity chefs and offering tips and tricks from the very best in the industry. Any man is guaranteed to be transformed into a King of the Grill!

Food & Drink

Enjoy tasty samplers from over 100 of the UK’s best specialist producers including pesticide-free Good Natured Fruit, freshly baked bread at The Bread Shop, decadent Paul A Young chocolates and melt in the mouth Fudges biscuits, the opt for the ultimate Ketel One Vodka Martini or glass of Sardinian Wine. Hailed as ‘one of the world’s greatest food festivals’ by Time Magazine, Taste of London is the Summer’s most exciting, must-attend event.

To book tickets visit www.tastefestivals.com or ring 0871 230 7132.

Confirmed Restaurants at Taste of London include:
Asia de Cuba
Benares
Benja
Bentley’s Oyster Bar &
Grill
Blue Elephant
Bumpkin
Busaba Eat Thai
Cinnamon Kitchen
Cocoon
Croque Gascon
Ducasse at The
Dorchester
Fino
Kai
L’Anima
L’Atelier de Joël
Robuchon
Launceston Place
Le Gavroche
Mango Tree
Nahm
Odette’s
Pied-a-Terre
Pont de la Tour
Ristorante Semplice
Quo Vadis
Refettorio
Restaurante Semplice
Rhodes 24
Salt Yard
Sumosan
Tamarind
The Boxwood Café
The Dorchester Grill
The Ledbury
Theo Randall
Tom’s Kitchen
May 2009