Eat Pizza, Drink San Pellegrino, Love Taste of London!

Pizza making masterclass with the Pizza Pilgrims

Kitchen Delights London Reporter gets to make pizza and drink San Pellegrino.......

For all of us foodies, there’s only one pilgrimage you’re likely to see us on this year - and that’s to the annual Taste of London festival, Regent’s Park.

I visited Taste as a guest of San Pellegrino and sipped on their sparkling fruit juices in a Sicilian inspired Orangery whilst enjoying some pretty awesome pizzas.

Thom and James, otherwise known as the Pizza Pilgrims, were also in the Orangery demonstrating how to make a tasty pizza the Italian way.

They showed us how to knead the dough and give it an adventurous toss in the air. Afterwards, you simply grace it with a smooth dollop of tomato, very little cheese and a generous handful of basil. It’s then ready to go into a pizza oven - harbouring an intense heat of 500 degrees.

As the pizza cooks in an impressive 45 seconds, there are two things to keep an eye on. The first is to achieve ‘leoparding’ – which means getting some brown charcoal spots on the pizza base by occasionally moving the pizza on the oven floor.  Next, in order to give it some extra depth of character you might also want to try some doming, which is where you lift the pizza towards the fire in order to gain more sizzle on top.

Finally serve in a pizza box with a can of San Pellegrino Limonata, close your eyes and chillax!

Taste of London 2013 - Review

                                         Electrolux Chefs' Secrets Featuring Tom Kitchin

This year in Regents Park, Taste of London celebrated their 10th food festival. Electrolux Chefs' Secrets was our first stop - Michelin Star Chef Tom Kitchin was offering a hands on masterclass to visitors, not only did they have the opportunity of cooking under the instruction of Tom, gaining hints and tips along the way, visitors also had the opportunity to use the latest Electrolux induction hobs to create their dish.

Electrolux Taste Theatre with Thomasina Miers was a short walk away from the Chefs' Secrets theatre. The audience were treated to a plethora of advice as the demo proceeded. We made our way back to the Taste Theatre to see Raymond Blanc and later in the day Pierre Koffman with Tom Kitchin.

Electrolux Chefs' Academy was full to the brim with ovens, hobs and extractors.  The Inspiration Range of kitchen appliances, including a steam combination oven, induction hobs and extractors were on display. Demonstrators offered one to one help and advice regarding the appliances and there was also a demonstration of the very impressive steam combination oven.

Belly pork being cooked in the outside kitchen of the Savoy Grill

Charcoal Grill Dingley Dell Pork belly with honey and apple also
Saltwater Shrimp Cocktail, celeriac and pink peppercorns

Taste showcases some of the finest food in London and is a great opportunity to sample tasting dishes. The currency used at the show are crowns, each crown is worth 50p and you buy a minimum of £10. Our two small plates of food cost 12 crowns and 8 crowns respectively which were never going to fill the hungry gap - more food on the plate would have represented better value.

Time for a coffee stop at Barista Baby Mobile pop up coffee shop.

Exotic Fruit and Vegetable Creations.
We were drawn to a Taste of Thailand where Thai eateries, street food, cocktails, entertainment and more took place. 

Artisan Spirits

Sweet or Savoury Gourmet Popcorn in the Producers Market

It was a lovely warm afternoon and we enjoyed a walk through beautiful Regents Park prior to the afternoon session. We only wish we had planned the day a little better because there is so much to see.

We attended Taste on the Friday afternoon as guests of Electrolux.