Top London Chefs Enjoyed Fabulous Fish & Chocolate Heaven at One Aldwych
Dominic Teague, Executive Chef at One Aldwych welcomed The Chefs’ Forum and over sixty top London chefs to the contemporary hotel, in London’s Covent Garden theatre district. . Dominic led a team of young chefs from Redbridge College and Hit Training in creating exquisite canapés to showcase his menu.
Dominic brings a culinary expertise that bridges respect for British tradition with gentle invention; this certainly rang true when he offered guests an array of delicious canapés including:
Pea soup with summer truffle, mackerel tartar with caper and dill, then beetroot with goats curd and crispy bacon.
Top London chefs and food industry people congregated in One Aldwych’s stylish surroundings for a day of cookery demonstrations, networking and all things ‘chef’ with a chance to meet young hospitality students from Redbridge College and learners from Hit Training in their quest to show off their skills and secure summer work placements.
Founded in 2010 by Catherine Farinha, The Chefs’ Forum now holds regular chefs conventions from the Cotswolds to Cornwall, Wales to Kent. Its tenth London event was very well received by all involved and Dominic, an excellent host!
As Executive Chef at One Aldwych for four years, Dominic has brought culinary expertise and flair to the hotel. Having recently refurbished the Indigo at One Aldwych restaurant kitchen, he was only too pleased to show it off to TV Chef and Grande Dame of Pastry, Cherish Finden who attended The Chefs’ Forum.
Dominic kindly took time out of his busy schedule to mentor five hospitality students from Redbridge College and Three from Hit Training. The students assisted Dominic and his team in the preparation and service of the fantastic canapés for the sixty top chefs in attendance. The students displayed great aptitude and professionalism and are a credit to their college.
Dominic commented: “I started my career as a young chef at the Lanesborough Hotel in 1992. I really enjoy working with young people and have been very impressed with the students today. Giving up their time to work at this event is truly admirable and shows that they are serious about a career in the industry”.
Lee-James (24) a level 3 student at Redbridge College said: “This has been an amazing experience – to work with Dominic in this beautiful hotel has really encouraged me, I am sure that the industry is for me and have really appreciated being part of this amazing event, I can’t wait to take part in future Chefs’ Forum events”.
Dominic performed a fantastic cookery demo of cured salmon with citrus fruit and avocado, and then Carpaccio of pineapple with coconut and lime. Both dishes are currently available on the Indigo restaurant menu.
The guests were also treated to a ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ afternoon tea of chocolate caramel milk, Eton Mess and Rhubarb and Custard candy floss.
Dominic added; “It has been a real honour to host The Chefs’ Forum at One Aldwych and it has been fantastic to talk to all the chefs, student and suppliers”.
The finest ingredients for the canapés and demos were donated by Chefs’ Forum Sponsors Koppert Cress, Walter Rose & Son, First Choice Produce and Shield Foods.
Other highlights of the day included a fascinating talk and tasting on sashimi grade Cobia by Open Blue, a chocolate tasting by Valrhona and a food and wine pairing master class by WSET, with fabulous wines supplied by Majestic Commercial.
Catherine Farinha, The Chefs’ Forum Founder said: “It’s been a thoroughly inspiring day – This is our tenth London event having launched the London Chapter at Westminster Kingsway College in May 2014. The Chefs’ Forum is going from strength to strength seeing 32 quarterly events staged in Kent, The Cotswolds, Bath, Bristol, Devon, Dorset, Hampshire, Cornwall and Wales. I would urge chefs across the south of the UK to get involved in this extremely positive industry organisation that oils the wheels of communication across the various elements of the industry: Hospitality education providers, renowned chefs in professional kitchens and top quality suppliers”.
Photography by Pavlova & Cream: www.pavlovaandcream.com
