Cyrus and Pervin Todiwala and their landmark restaurant Café Spice Namaste are preparing to once again play host to a series of chef demonstrations and master classes featuring some of the UK’s most high profile and respected chefs when they reboot Adventure Gourmet in the New Year.
The brainchild of the late Chef Peter Hazzard, a former Food & Beverage Director of Sodexo, Adventure Gourmet was taken over by the Todiwalas nearly ten years ago, when they transported Hazzard’s training kitchen to Café Spice Namaste. Since then, the Indian restaurateurs have installed a brand new demonstration kitchen, and an impressive array of chefs have eagerly pledged their continued support to a programme whereby chefs at the top of their game share, within a relaxed and intimate teaching environment, their secrets on a range of relevant topics. These include how to create time-honoured recipes, honing complex cooking techniques, making the most out of seasonal produce, world cuisines, cooking with spices and the heights and delights of pastry.
Monthly, half-day Adventure Gourmet sessions are followed by a 2-course lunch that takes place at Café Spice Namaste’s Pradhan Room, where Poggenpohl has recently installed a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen featuring Gaggenau appliances.
Adventure Gourmet is perfect for professional chefs, would-be chefs or any food lover who wishes to cook and learn from some of the best talents in the industry, including Michelin-starred chef-restaurateurs and executive chefs. The confirmed chef line-up includes Cyrus Todiwala OBE, Brian Turner CBE, Andrew Bennett MBE, Ben Tish, Sarah Hartnett, Simon Hulstone, Steve Munkley, Paul Gayler, John Feeney, and Francesco Mazzei. The first event is scheduled for the 26th of January 2017 when Cyrus will reveal his techniques in preparing Indian-style seafood. Soon to follow, on 8th February, will be a master class with Ben Tish, Executive Chef of the Salt Yard Group, who will demonstrate how to create Italian small plates or cicchetti.
Managing the programme on behalf of Café Spice Namaste is former Acorn winner, Sam Coulstock, who brings to the role over 20 years’ special projects, business and programme development experience in the hospitality industry.
Cyrus Todiwala said, ‘I am very excited about what Adventure Gourmet has in store for both individuals and organisations wanting to learn from some of the best and most passionate chefs in the business, in a spirit of fun and adventure. Sometimes people just want to be near their chef heroes. It is difficult to match the expertise of the chefs who have committed to taking part in Adventure Gourmet. I’d like to thank Poggenpohl and Gaggenau as well for making sure we have the top equipment to help our chefs perform minor miracles with food!
Pervin Todiwala said, ‘With Adventure Gourmet, we want to keep our friend Peter Hazzard’s love of good, beautifully prepared and presented food and his vision for training tomorrow’s industry workforce alive. All the chefs who have come on board are not just professionals, they are friends, and we invite chefs who want to make a difference and have some fun via Adventure Gourmet to contact Sam. Cyrus and I are excited about having Sam on board too as he is the consummate professional and well regarded in the industry. With him, we are confident that the quality of Adventure Gourmet is assured.’