Jordan Bailey (at Al Meni in Italy last June) There was one new three Michelin star restaurant in London (Sketch - the Lecture Room and Library) when the guide announced the results for Great Britain and Ireland. But, the biggest surprise, at least for those who did not know the background to Jordan Bailey’s success in Ireland was the promotion of his restaurant Aimsir in Celbridge directly to two Michelin stars (it had been open for only a few months). The restaurant which is focused on produce from Ireland is led by Jordan Bailey, originally from Cornwall is the former head chef of Maaemo in Oslo, Norway which has three Michelin stars, and his Danish front of house manager and wife Majken Bech Bailey. They moved to Ireland early last year to explore the food procurers and ingredients of their newly adopted home and got married during their first six months there. “Despite the obvious challenges being faced by the industry here in the UK, we are thrilled that this has … [Read more...]
Third International Chef Summit to debut in Singapore this year
SINGAPORE: Following two successful editions in Taipei, the International Chefs Summit Asia (ICSA) will be held in Singapore this year from 9 to 11 October 2019, with the theme of ‘Sourcing Locally, Innovating Globally’. Organised by Favorable Impression Media (FIM Media) and supported by Singapore Tourism Board, this year’s event will showcase the stellar cuisines and flavours of Asia, and see the region’s internationally acclaimed chefs and restaurateurs, food experts, and industry insiders taking part in constructive dialogue on the pulse of Asia’s culinary development. “As two cosmopolitan cities and gastronomic hubs in Asia with rich food cultures, it was only natural to take ICSA to Singapore this year and allow Taiwan-based chefs to share their philosophies away from their home ground and on the international stage. With ICSA providing a platform for mutual exchange of experiences and learnings between chefs, we hope to encourage even more positive changes in the sector,” … [Read more...]
Strong demand and record price for sparkling wine at Nahe Wine Auction
The steep terraced slope behind the estate house of Gut Hermannsberg © Uwe Schiereck The Kupfergrube is a great vineyard site. This steep terraced slope with a wall-like appearance standing behind the estate house of Gut Hermannsberg is majestically framed by a handful of other great vineyards in the Middle Nahe Valley. Even a superficial glance is enough to make clear that remarkable wines with charismatic personalities must grow there. This is the reason why Gut Hermannsberg only releases its Rieslings from the Kupfergrube when they reach five years of age. “These wines need far more time than all our others,” explained winemaker Karsten Peter, “to drink them earlier than this would be a mistake.” The decision to move to this “Very Late Release” strategy was taken by the Reidel family last year. “The 2017 Kupfergrube has such a complex structure it was clear that it’s full potential wouldn’t be reached after just two years of maturation,” explained estate co-director Jasper … [Read more...]
Ana Ros auctioning three chef jackets in aid of little Kris
Ana Ros, chef of Slovenian restaurant Hisa Franko is auctioning three of her most coveted chef jackets in aid of Mali (little) Kris, a 19-month-old Slovenian boy who was born with a serious disease called spinal muscular atrophy. Hisa Franko has already made a donation but the chef has announced that she will auction these three jackets through their Facebook page to raise funds. The boy only has four months to get revolutionary care from the US which would help to cure the disease. Slovenians have already pooled in resources and raised 2.3 million euros in funds that will allow Kris to get treatment. Each of the jackets that are being auctioned are unique and have important stories. One of them is Ana's JRE jacket which is a symbol of the first organisation that recognised her talent as a chef and which gave her the Talent of the year title in 2015. Another comes from 2018 when Ana was a member of the jury in the finals of the San Pellegrini young chef 2018 in Milan and the … [Read more...]
Bjorn Frantzén wins the The Best Chef Award Top100, followed by chef Joan Roca and chef David Muñoz
BARCELONA: Chef Björn Frantzén has been won the Best Chef Top100 Award for 2019 followed by Joan Roca (winner of the previous two editions) and David Muñoz in third place. The 2019-list includes chefs from 24 countries worldwide and features 15 new entries among which is Disfrutar, the restaurant in Barcelona which made the highest jump. The winners of The Best Chef Awards 2019 The Best Chef Top100 Award : Björn Frantzén of restaurant Frantzén in Stockholm, Sweden. The second place was for Joan Roca (Spain), who won the award in 2017 and 2018, the third place went to David Muñoz (Spain). Last year, Björn Frantzén took the fourth place after David Muñoz (third place), René Redzepi (second place) and Joan Roca (first place).The Best Chef City Gourmet Award winner: Disfrutar with Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch (Barcelona, Spain). This category of award recognized the … [Read more...]
Breakfast for charity to be organised on Brussels car free day
BRUSSELS: On 22 September, during the annual car free day, Thon Hotel Brussels is organising a breakfast for charity on Rue de la Lot in one of the city’s busiest streets. From 10.30am to noon, a long table will be set up to cater for more than 800 people. The continental breakfast will be free for all with donations being accepted for three partner associations, GoodPlanet Belgium, the Red Cross and Birds Bay. The car-free day in Brussels is organised on an annual basis and gives residents of the Belgian capital city the chance to enjoy their city free of cars, buses and traffic jams. This day is therefore conducive to the organization of exceptional events in places usually not accessible on foot or by bike. This is why Thon Hotels Brussels took the opportunity to organize a breakfast on one of the most crowded avenues in the capital. The table will be installed between 35 and 77 Rue de La Lot and bike parking will be available. Coffee, croissants, orange juice and … [Read more...]
Gut Hermannsberg celebrates 10 years of terroir and Riesling
Together with guests from around the world Jens Reidel and Dr. Christine Dinse celebrated the dramatic return to form of their famous wine estate on the Nahe. In 2009 they purchased the former “Königlich-Preussische Weindomäne” – Royal Prussian Wine Domaine – in Niederhausen, later the Nahe State Domaine and renamed it Gut Hermannsberg. Since then they pushed the quality winery back to the very top. Today Gut Hermannsberg is one of Germany’s leading wine producers. Breathtakingly beautiful “It’s the most beautiful place in the world,” Michael Prinz zu Salm-Salm said in his speech at the 10th anniversary celebration at Gut Hermannsberg on Friday, 30th August, “and we are all happy, that this wonderful place shines again.” Gut Hermannsberg stands on a hilltop in the Nahe Valley with breathtaking views over the estate’s steep vineyards that all produce GGs (Große Gewächs / “Grand Crus”), volcanic cliffs and the river. The estate gets its name from the … [Read more...]
The Best Chef launches Area Talks to debate trends in gastronomy
BARCELONA: The Best Chef launches the first edition of Area Talks on 24 September in Barcelona. During this event, top chefs, foodies and experts will engage in a dialogue on contemporary trends in gastronomy. In addition to the already announced Food Meets Science conference that will be held on Monday, September 23 and the gala of The Best Chef Awards (on Tuesday evening, September 24), The Best Chef will organise the panel discussion Area Talks. The brand new event will take place on September 24th, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Barcelona. Through discussions on current topics and testimonials from chefs and experts, Area Talks will offer a unique behind-the-scenes view on the daily life in the world of gastronomy. Cristian Gadau, Creative Director at The Best Chef Awards, said: "We have created Area Talks to bring our community and the new generation of foodies and chefs closer together by getting them involved in the event program of The Best Chef … [Read more...]
Austrian wine: Good quality and average volume reported for 2019 vintage
AUSTRIA: ‘Austrian winegrowers are looking forward to a good vintage with fully ripe grapes this year. Compared to the big harvest in 2018, an average volume of approximately 2.4 million hectolitres is expected. And after the record-breaking early harvest last year, picking will begin around Lake Neusiedl at the beginning of September. In other regions, the primary harvest will begin in mid-September’, explained Johannes Schmuckenschlager, president of the Austrian Winegrowers’ Association, with regard to 2019. No late frost damage this yearAfter a normal budding, late frost damage was avoided once more this year, despite a few anxious nights. In contrast to the previous year, flowering took place about two weeks later – at the normal time. The great heat in June 2019 with record temperatures over 30°C then led to rapid progress of the vegetation. The dry and hot weather conditions also provided the reason why very healthy grape material is available throughout Austria this year, as … [Read more...]
Western African restaurant Akoko to open in London in October
LONDON: Launching on Berners Street in Fitzrovia this autumn, Akoko will bring Londoners a taste of West African Cuisine combining British ingredients with vivid aromas and authentic West African spices, Akoko will offer a unique window on the still relatively unknown West African Cuisine in a polished and relaxed setting. The first project from a British West African group with Head Chef William JM Chilila, the team want to bring West African Cuisine to London with bold yet refined dishes. Akoko, which means ‘time’ and also ’the first’ in Yoruba will show Londoners that it is truly time to experience West African cuisine in a new and elevated way. Head Chef William JM Chilila will showcase an innovative menu combining British ingredients and African spices. With experience working with renowned restaurants such as Galvin at Windows, The Montagu at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, The Langham Hotel and the Orrery, William was a finalist on last year’s Masterchef: The Professionals and … [Read more...]