Raymond Blanc at Write on Kew
At Kew Gardens' first ever literary festival, Raymond Blanc OBE will recommend a seasonal menu specially selected for the event. Along the way he will discuss the experiences, books and recipes that have inspired his love of food.
Raymond Blanc at Write on Kew
At Kew Gardens' first ever literary festival, Raymond Blanc OBE will recommend a seasonal menu specially selected for the event. Along the way he will discuss the experiences, books and recipes that have inspired his love of food.
September sees the launch of Kew Gardens' first ever literary festival; 'Write on Kew'. The glorious grounds of Kew will play host to 80 events covering a range of genres, from fiction to science, and children's to cookery. We were delighted to discover that legendary chef Raymond Blanc OBE will host one of the events at the festival.
The best dish on a menu, according to Raymond Blanc OBE, is ‘one that’s in season’. From his earliest days, watching his mother cook for her family in France, this has been his mantra. On Thursday 24 September the charismatic Chef Patron of Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons will recommend a special seasonal menu highlighting how to make the very best of autumnal ingredients.
Kew is a very special place for Raymond. Earlier in the year he captivated the nation with a fascinating four-part series on BBC2 – Kew on a Plate. Together with TV presenter Kate Humble he was given the unique opportunity to spend a year at the country’s most famous botanical gardens. There he took on the exciting challenge of re-establishing the long-lost kitchen gardens which once provided produce for many royal tables from George II to Queen Victoria.
At the Write on Kew event, Raymond will discuss the joys and challenges of filming Kew on a Plate. Starting with spring, where he learnt about the infamous rhubarb triangle, then harvested rhubarb at Kew before going on to create a superb rhubarb and custard dessert. In summer Raymond faced a minor catastrophe growing strawberries at Kew and made his first ever gooseberry dish – gooseberry cheesecake.
In autumn he faced the challenge of setting up a mushroom farm in Kew’s old ice house and transformed newly-grown earthy beetroot into a delicious autumnal tart. Finally in the winter months, Raymond had the opportunity to turn the forced chicory grown at Kew into a beautiful chicory gratin. He also gave the humble turnip a modern twist, using it in a variation on the traditional sauerkraut.
Kew’s Director of Horticulture, Richard Barley, will also be on hand at the event with Raymond. Whatever garden space you have, he’ll share the simple pleasures of planting, growing and harvesting your own produce.
You’ll leave the event learning how Raymond Blanc and Kew were able to re-create the stunning kitchen garden. Raymond will share his lifetime’s passion for fruits and vegetables, giving you culinary knowledge, kitchen secrets and some funny stories to keep you smiling when you’re next in the kitchen.
Adele Nozedar at Write on Kew
Lovers of foraging will also enjoy another event taking place at Write on Kew on September 24. Author of The Garden Forager and The Hedgerow Handbook, foraging expert Adele Nozedar will explain how you need look no further than your own back garden to source a number of culinary delights. At the event she will explore over 40 of the most popular garden plants that have medicinal, edible and even cosmetic potential.
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