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Sunday 22 January 2012

CELEBRITY CHEF LEVI ROOTS COOKS UP A RECIPE FOR CHANGE TO LAUNCH WORLD FOOD NIGHT


Celebrity chef Levi Roots is urging people everywhere to cook up a recipe for change and take part in the first ever World Food Night.


The food-lovers’ celebration will take place on February 24th and will see people across the UK cooking up delicious food from around the world in support of refugees.

A pack full of recipe ideas from countries like Eritrea and Bolivia, tips and giveaways will be sent to participants as part of the initiative, which is in support of the charity Refugee Action.

There will be top prizes for people who raise the most money, including the chance to enjoy a meal from Levi’s London eatery Papine.

Levi, who has voiced a film in support of World Food Night, said: “World Food Night is a great opportunity to share a meal with friends while raising awareness and funds for a great cause. Food can cross boundaries of culture and nationality, but it can also help people retain their culture. Many refugees have fled war and persecution but give a lot back to the UK. I would encourage anyone to hold a dinner party, learn more about refugee issues and cook up a recipe for change!”

Levi wanted to get behind the World Food Night initiative after he came to the UK as a young man from Jamaica and experienced how difficult it can be to adapt to a new culture.

He said: “For me, food has always been a key part of maintaining my own culture and it is a great way to break down barriers while having some fun!”

The fundraiser comes hot on the heels of the British Future State of the Nation Report 2012 entitled ‘Hopes and Fears’ which revealed that 68 per cent of people think immigration has been good for British food, with people from the West Midlands the most enthusiastic about the diverse food which is now available.  

Dave Garratt, Chief Executive of Refugee Action, said: “We are delighted to have the support of Levi Roots and already have lots of people signing up to support refugees through World Food Night. We work with people who have fled war and persecution and need protection. But refugees also have an enormous amount to give back to the UK, including through food and culture. Most of us love to try new foods and World Food Night is a chance to do just that, while raising awareness and cooking up a recipe for change!”

To get your fundraising pack and watch Levi’s film you can visit www.refugee-action.org.uk/wfn. To find out what other people are planning you can follow Refugee Action on Twitter at http://twitter.com/refugeeaction and on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RefugeeAction.

Thursday 12 January 2012

Share a Whole Lamb at A La Cruz Winter Supper Club on 1 February 2012


A whole lamb – cordero entero – is the celebration feast of feasts in Argentina. For the first time, A La Cruz in Farringdon, London EC1, will host its lamb supper club on Wednesday 1 February 7.30pm – and you are welcome to come by yourself or with a couple of guests. Slow cooked on the asador, the lamb is supported on metal crosses, a la cruz. Some four hours later, the lamb is crisp and meltingly succulent, and is ceremoniously carved by the host to share with the party. Until now, only guests of the owners and bigger groups have enjoyed the privilege of this spectacular dinner.





Tickets at £40 are available from A La Cruz, 42 Northampton Road, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 0HU. Tube: Farringdon, Angel, 10 minutes walk.
Telephone 020 7837 1999
eat@alacruz.com


Cordero Entero Menu
1 February 2012

Plate of 3 starters

Empanada: Argentine style filled pastries beef, spinach & ricotta
Provoleta: Grilled provolone cheese and crusty toasted bread
Mollejas: Grilled beef sweetbreads with lemon juice

Taster of beef fillet from the charcoal grill

Cordero Entero a la cruz: Whole lamb on the asador

Sauces: Chimichurri, and yoghurt & mint

Espinacas a la crema: Creamy spinach

Asadas a la sal: Rock salt baked baby potatoes

Salads with palm hearts, beetroot, beans, tomatoes, free-range egg

Panqueques: Traditional Argentine pancakes filled with dulce de leche


Septima wines will be specially selected to match and available to buy by the glass or bottle.


Along with other landmark restaurants in the vicinity - Smith’s of Smithfield and St John – A La Cruz is an essential destination in the meat trail which has established itself near Smithfield Market. Meat at A La Cruz is sourced from some of the premium farms in Argentina, and meat fans will take great delight in enjoying tender, flavoursome Ribeye, Sirloin and Rump steak, perfectly pink lamb, chorizo and chistorra sausages, morcilla grilled pork black pudding and mollejas beef sweetbreads. Starters include many dishes which will please vegetarians.




Whilst it is hard to take your eyes off the spectacular open Grill area, you will not miss the bold artwork of Turner shortlisted artist David Tremlett. His wall drawings adorn the large, bright dining room. Regular fans of A La Cruz feasting include The Meat Club and the Saracens Rugby team.

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Tastecard - Is it all it's cracked up to be???


I have been kindly asked to delete this post by Tastecard's lawyers. I regret having to do so.


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