It has been said that you eat with your eyes and if you do we were in the right place last Thursday, London Kitchen Social held at the Bellavita Academy in Whitechapel, London. London Kitchen Social brings chefs to the stage, demonstrating each course before it is then brought to your table. An idea brought to life by food and events photographer Majella O’Connell and friends.
Majella was joined by chefs Anthony Raffo, Chris Terry, Dave Pigram, Daniel Britten and Lorna Nanda Gangotra. Each prepared their course on stage and the performances added drama and intrigue to the event. The passion from each chef was evident and the audience engagement enthusiastic. Guests were able to ask questions as each course was created in front of their eyes and they keenly did.
The group’s performance showed the chemistry between them and some of the courses were demonstrations in alchemy, theatre at its best.
We know Majella well for her photography, but we didn’t know she is also ‘the event host extraordinaire’. Majella was so comfortable in her delivery and management of the event, introducing each chef and course eloquently, interacting with the audience comfortably and holding court with supreme assurance. Majella was just so happy with the event that she couldn’t help it shining out from her, we were delighted be there to witness it.
London Kitchen Social – a total sell out packed with happy dinersThe evening was a unique way of enjoying dinner out, the chefs made everything look easy with a pinch of this and that added as only those trained in their craft can.
The courses flowed and with each one we were treated to a gastronomic delight, but we have decided to narrow our review to focus on two.
The first was from chef Anthony Raffo, Mackerel with burnt hay, celeriac and parsnip puree. Anthony’s presentation made it look so simple, it wasn’t, and it tasted as good as it looked in its black RAK Porcelain frame.
Chef Anthony Raffo’s Mackerel with burnt hay, celeriac and parsnip pureeThe second was from chef Lorna Nanda Gangotra, one third of The Gangotra Sisters, winners of BBC2’s ‘The Big Family Cooking Showdown 2017’. Lorna transported us into her mother’s kitchen and/or her grandmother’s, this was authentic Indian cooking as it had been passed down through generations. The chicken curry that was then served was as good as any we had ever tasted 10/10 from us and we suspect most of the diners.
Chef Lorna Nanda GangotraSponsors of the event include Purple Carrot Recruitment, RAK Porcelain Europe who provided the finishing touches with a collection of stunning bowls, Surrey Hills Butchers who supplied their meat and Seahawk Marine who provided the fish.
The event was a total sell out packed with happy diners, doubtless everyone left feeling like we did, fully fed, fully watered and fully satisfied, when’s the next one please?
In conclusion: The very, very social, London Kitchen Social made its mark and we would highly recommend attending the next if you have the chance.
Photography by James Taylor aka The Bearded One