October Food News With Eat With Ellen
Is it just me who struggles a bit when the seasons change? Don’t get me wrong, I love autumn. Well, the crisp, bright fresh autumn full of bright colours, not the soggy rainy one. Autumn heralds the arrival of log fires, country pubs, hearty food and red wine. All the things I love. But somehow it’s just the change of temperature, the darker mornings, and the waving goodbye to summer that leaves me all out of kilter.
It’s that imbalance that I’m using as the excuse for why this is a week late in telling you about some foodie stuff that’s going on in October, but fear not, you’ve still got plenty of time to enjoy it. From exciting openings to brand new products and the arrival of all things autumnal on the food scene, there’s enough to keep you distracted without having to worry about the dreaded ‘C’ word just yet….
MUST GO
Tibits
I was meant to tell you about vegan and vegetarian group Tibits’ 10-year anniversary competition that will give 10 people the chance to eat for free in either their Mayfair or Bankside restaurants, but I’m a tiny bit late as it only runs until tomorrow (October 10th). However, you should still get down and see them to try the newly-launched autumn menu, packed with things like Seitan Bourguignon, barley and radicchio stew and tibits take on the classic bread and butter pudding.
If you haven’t heard of tibits, it was founded in 2000 by vegetarian brothers Christian, Daniel and Reto Frei, who were uninspired by the lack of vegetarian offerings in their native Switzerland. Together with the owners of Zurich’s oldest vegetarian restaurant they opened the first tibits in the city and now there are venues across Switzerland, in the UK and soon to be in Germany.
tibits Heddon Street, 12-14 Heddon Street, London, W1B 4DA. Nearest stations – Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Circus
tibits Bankside, 124 -128 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0SW. Nearest station – Southwark
British Game Dinner at Tate Britain
If meat is more your thing, you might fancy this at Tate Britain’s Rex Whistler restaurant. Inspired by the wild meat in the restaurant’s mural The Expedition in Pursuit of Rare Meats, this Friday head chef Laudani will cook a four-course menu featured the best of British game, courtesy of award-winning butchers Farmison’s & Co. Dishes will feature game such as hare and venison, and make use of the finest seasonal produce from across the UK. Each course will be matched with a wine, chosen from Rex Whistler’s multi award-winning wine cellar.
The evening will start with a drinks reception followed by a talk from Andrew Cavanna, Commercial Director at Farmison’s & Co, on the sourcing, preparing and cooking of British game, before dinner is served. Venison; roast loin, slow-cooked haunch, beetroot and potato terrine, cacao sauce
Tickets are £75 for the drinks reception and dinner, or £115 if you want the wine pairing. For more information visit: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/food-and-drink/farmisons-co-game-dinner
Tate Britain, Millbank, Westminster, London SW1P 4RG. Nearest station – Pimlico
The Wandsworth Common Halloween Festival
Why does everyone skip Halloween and start getting excited about Christmas far too early. Not this gal! How about Halloween seen in with an epic party and loads of beer? The 10th Annual Wandsworth Common Halloween festival kicks off on October 31st with a preview night, then continues until Saturday, November 3.
Apparently you should ‘Expect the Unexpected’, but I can tell you that there’s due to be 100 beers and loads of cider, as well as live music and a commemorative glass. Who needs Christmas? Tickets here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wandsworth-common-halloween-beer-festival-2018-tickets-49645353589?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Le Gothique Restaurant & Bar, Royal Victoria Patriotic Building , John Archer Way, Windmill Road , SW18 3SX. Nearest stations – Clapham Junction, Wandsworth Common
Big Easy, King’s Road
Big Easy first opened on the King’s Road in 1991 and now it’s back after reopening in September. There’s still high-quality barbecued meats, lobsters flown from Nova Scotia and a party atmosphere, but it’s been revamped. It’s got a bigger bar with lounge area, party tables and waiting staff, plus an expanded selection of whiskies and bourbons as well as all the old favourites like Big Easy’s trademark slushie cocktails. Food-wise, apparently there’s a beefed up Bar Bites menu, while in the restaurant the old favourites are still there plus some new additions.
Oh, and I’m told there’s a 2-for-1 happy hour on selected slushies, cocktails, wines and beers every weekday from 4-7.30pm and all day on Monday. What are you waiting for?
Big Easy King’s Road, 332-334 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 5UR. Nearest stations – Sloane Square, South Kensington
OUT OF TOWN
Legends of the Dining Room at The Gallivant
I’ve told you about The Gallivant before. I actually even checked it out for you, kind soul that I am. A gorgeous restaurant with rooms on the south coast, it’s the perfect place for a break. And if a long empty beach, comfy rooms and the option of a spa treatment isn’t enough to tempt you, here’s a foodie treat that definitely will. The Gallivant’s ‘Legends of the Dining Room’ series basically sees different chefs from across the UK take over its kitchen for a night.
The series, which kicked off with Damian Clisby of Petersham Nurseries, followed by Phil Howard of Elystan Street, isn’t about Michelin stars or anything like that but about chefs who are making an impact on the UK culinary scene and who aren’t based in London.
This month, the spot goes to Jan Ostle from Wilsons Restaurant in Bristol, who will be taking over the kitchen on Sunday (October 14th). Jan started his career under Gordon Ramsay at Royal Hospital Road and then The Square and Tom Kerridge’s The Hand and Flowers before opening in Bristol in 2017 where he’s already making waves.
If that’s too short notice, on Tuesday November 20th Simon Hulstone of The Elephant in Torquay will take to the kitchen at the Gallivant. Simon has been cooking professionally since his school days and is one of the UK’s most decorated chefs, with accolades including the Roux Scholarship, the Craft Guild of Chefs National Chef of the Year award and captain of the British team in the Culinary Olympics, as well as having represented the UK twice in the Bocuse d’Or, the world’s most challenging and prestigious culinary contest.
The Gallivant, New Lydd Road, Camber, Rye TN31 7RB.
MUST TRY
Magnum Vegan
I’m not vegan, we all know that. But while I may not have made that choice, I appreciate that in involves a great deal of sacrifice. So if you haven’t heard about this one, I hope it might help. Last month, Magnum launched its newest addition – a vegan version. Magnum Vegan will apparently give you all the joy of an old-school magnum, but is made with pea protein rather than dairy. Its cocoa beans are from Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms and it’s also been certified by the European Vegetarian Union. You can get Magnum Vegan in both Classic and Almond, and its RRP is £3.69 for 270ml.
Green’s Halloween Cookie and Cake Mixes
Another Halloween one for you – home baking brand Green’s has launched a range of Halloween Cookie and Cake Mixes.
In case you’ve never used them, all you have to do is add butter and water to the cake mix, and an egg and water to make the cupcakes. You get a chocolate pen to decorate your spooky treats. Perfect for baking with the kids or for some mess-free home baking. They will be rolled out across NISA, Scotmid Co-operative and convenience stores during October. Green’s is also running a competition from October 17th to 31st so if you buy one of the mixes, submit a photo of your Halloween bake on their Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #GreensHalloweenBakes. Three entrants will win a ghoulish hamper of Green’s goodies, including the new mixes.
