TASTE TALKS – An evening of Fine Art & Dining hosted by Charlie Beldam of Cotswold Gold and Royal Artist in Residence Jeremy Houghton
What a fun three nights the Cotswold Gold team have enjoyed at Jeremy’s Houghton’s fabulous studio near Broadway where together we hosted a fabulous array of talented chefs, restaurateurs, designers and movers and shakers in the local food and art scene.
Taste Talks was hosted in conjunction with gifted chef Tobyn Excell and top-notch events caterers Relish, who provided our guests with an inspirational 10 course taster menu. Huge thanks also go to our kind sponsors Knight Frank and to 16 Ridges Wines who provided our guests will a flight of delicious English wines and ciders throughout the evening.
The 10 course taster menu encapsulated entirely British ingredients from Cornish brill, wood blewit, Douglas fir pine needles, juniper, quince, acorns and wild grasses to beeswax and Cotswold blue cheese. Within the menu Cotswold Gold oils were used in an array of ways from tarragon and wild grass emulsions, poaching and glazing in smoked oil to drizzling dishes with mouth-watering truffle, charcoal and hay infused oils. Fresh rape greens and rapeseeds from the Cotswold Gold farm were also incorporated into two of the dishes.
Charlie and Jeremy each welcomed guests with a short talk about their work and were on hand throughout the evenings to chat and join in with the revelry.
It was truly fantastic to bring together so many local talents to create a truly unique event in an inspirational setting. Look out for the photos in Cotswold Life magazine out soon…..
Here is who was behind our first Taste Talks evening;
Visionary Jeremy Houghton is one of the UK’s finest contemporary artists. His works have a core theme of space, light, movement and time. His ability to record transient moments has led to commissions commemorating momentous occasions in recent history. Jeremy’s portfolio includes time spent as Royal Artist in Residence at both Windsor Castle and Highgrove, official artist of the London Olympic Games, London Fashion Week and Goodwood. He has just accepted a residency with Land Rover and Ben Ainslie for the America’s Cup. www.jeremyhoughton.co.uk
Tobyn Excell
Nordic Food Lab graduate Tobyn has trained with the best in the world. His passion for British ingredients, foraged and seasonal foods resonate in his menus which are distinctive amalgamations of technical know-how and Tobyn’s individual creativity.
Relish’s innovative team of chefs pride themselves on being real foodies with a huge interest in fresh, locally sourced food and bespoke menu design. Their experienced chefs, managers and professional staff cater for private parties, weddings, corporate functions and large outdoor events with an aim to always exceed the expectations of the customer. www.relishevent.co.uk
Sixteen Ridges Wines
The Sixteen Ridges vineyard resides on a sheltered Worcestershire hillside within a natural amphitheatre with views south along the Severn River valley. It captures maximum sunlight and warmth providing an ideal location for wine making. Owners Simon and Hannah Day are most famous for being a part of the award-winning cider and perry producers Once Upon A Tree. Simon, first and foremost, a wine maker, has now reverted to producing a range of young English wines made from 100% Pinot Noir – the range includes white, red, rose and sparkling rose.
Knight Frank, Stow-on-the-Wold
Stow-on-the-Wold estate agents Knight Frank handle residential properties across the North Cotswolds and including the borders of Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. The Stow-on-the-Wold office sells properties in many picturesque towns, villages and rural areas including Chipping Campden, Broadway, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Guiting Power, Kingham, Bledington and Bourton-on-the-Water. www.knightfrank.co.uk
Gloucestershire based Bottle Green produce non-alcoholic cordials and presses made from natural ingredients. Products include elderflower, apple, ginger, lime and pomegranate cordials and sparling presses. www.bottlegreendrinks.com
Cheltenham based PR company Silver Ball used their ‘stonkingly good PR services’ to coordinate our Taste Talk evenings. Thanks go to them for all their energy, ideas and enthusiasm!
