Friends events
February 2007
The Bell at Skenfrith
St David’s Day (evening actually) was celebrated in high festive mood at The Bell at Skenfrith with a superb tasting of top Pinot Noir wines from around the world. Our generous hosts, William and Janet warmly welcomed Friends and other specially invited guests all eagerly anticipating a merry evening. We were not disappointed.
Before the tasting proper started we were invited to sample delicious products from four local producers: Tracklemeat Company (chutneys, relishes and sauces) pies; Bellota (Iberian Ham, chorizo sausage); Country Kitchen (pies) Blaenavon Cheddar Co. (handmade variously flavoured cheddars, matured surprisingly at the bottom of the Big Pit).
While we munched on the tasty buffet, William gave us a short introduction to the Pinot Noir grape describing it as ‘the Everest of the wine world ……difficult to get right but when it is right, it can be sublime.’ Wines to taste came from France and the New World, each offering its distinctive flavour as my rather smudgy notes indicate …sophisticated…angular…what do I know? I was getting carried away. A very enjoyable evening, and thank heaven for our waiting minibus to take us home.
Carolyn Faulder
December 2006
The Malthouse, Brewery Yard, Abergavenny
We held our Christmas event one Sunday evening in early December at The Malthouse in Abergavenny thanks to owner/cook Domenico Scarpetta. He and his team produced an Italian/Christmas cocktail and a huge spread of food to taste. Some of this food is not normally on the Malthouse menu, and it was much appreciated by Friends who certainly did it justice.
Domenico gave a freewheeling talk to Friends about what was important to him in the restaurant and how he had come to Abergavenny. There was a great atmosphere and this lively talk gave Friends an excellent idea of how Domenico works. It was a popular evening and our thanks go to our host Domenico and of course to his staff for the energy and enthusiasm with which they ran the evening.
December 2005
The Friends' hear plans for the new Hardwick Restaurant
Plans for the opening of the Hardwick, the renamed and revitalised Horse and Jockey pub on the Old Raglan Road, were given to Friends of the Abergavenny Food Festival at their first ever event in late 2005 just before the opening of the restaurant. Stephen Terry, the new owner and chef, described how he was involved not just in usual restaurant opening tasks like employing staff but also in stripping old lino and managing building work.
Stephen is a lively raconteur and he entertained with tales of his early years in various kitchens. He wanted the Hardwick to be a place people would drop into regularly rather than a formal dining experience for special occasions only. Prices would therefore be very reasonable. Many Friends suggested afterwards that he should be invited back in a year’s time to let us know how it has all gone--the highs and lows of starting a new venture, what has worked as expected and what has been difficult. Meanwhile his enthusiasm for cooking and restaurants whetted appetites and made lots of Friends keen to sample the food for themselves.
The Friends met for this first event at the Angel Hotel thanks to William and Charlotte Griffiths as the Hardwick restaurant was not yet ready. William generously provided canapés and a glass of wine.
March 2006
Pasta and salumi at the Walnut Tree Inn
Francesco Mattioli and his chef Spencer Ralph entertained the Friends at the Walnut Tree Inn with a pasta making demonstration. A huge spread of salumi (the plural of salami in Italian) and ham were introduced by Francesco who explained about the different kinds. Lots of tasting of salami occurred and Spencer’s pasta was devoured as well. The Friends from all the feedback were bowled over by the event.
The highlights for Friends were the warmth of the welcome from Francesco
and Enrica, the skills of Spencer as chef and demonstrator, the opportunity
to taste and compare foods and the convivial atmosphere. Francesco has since
offered all the Friends who show their membership cards a free glass of wine
with any meal at the Walnut Tree until January 2007.
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