Rose Kentish Kitchen: December 2010

Wednesday, 8 December 2010

Christmas Market

Last Saturdays market was a total success! Thank you to everyone who came, i hope to see you all again this Saturday for the next one.

My stall of cakes and savories went down really well; especially my 'Happy' Sausage and cranberry rolls. The sausage meat comes from my trusted butchers, Walters in Herne Hill and is made from local free range pigs with their own Cumberland sausage seasoning. You really can taste the difference when cooking with happy meat. I promise to make lots more this coming Saturday!

Upstairs we also enjoyed delicious vegan chocolates made by Laura Coxeter. Go check her out here at Coxeter's Fayre they really were amazing!

Temporary tattoos by the artist David Shrigley, check out mine below:

Although I allowed mine to wash off the next morning some people who came to the market went straight to a local tattoo parlour to have theirs made permanent...Very cool!

And a great selection of beautiful books, designs and gift ideas by Caught by The River, Faber, Rough Trade and lots of other stalls besides.

This Saturday I will be making;

'Happy'Sausage & Cranberry Rolls,

Ham & Cheese Pies,

Spinach & Feta Tartlets,

Roasted Tomato Soup with Organic Sourdough Bread,

Cupcakes,

Rocky Road (my new favorite cake in the whole world!!) and

Creme Fraiche Baked Mince pies!

For more information on this weeks special guests flow this link The Social...

I hope to see you all there for an afternoon of mulled wine, tasty treats, Christmas shopping and general merry making!

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

The Social's Christmas Market

This Christmas The Social presents a weekly market in the upstairs bar each and every Saturday daytime with stalls from Rough Trade Shops, Caught By The River, Faber, tattoos from David Shrigley, prints, toys and more from Pete Fowler (Monsterism), Le Gun and Heretic, PostCarden and others.

As well as Christmas gifts, shoppers will be able to catch signings, poetry readings, live performances and talks, DJ sets, a fully stocked... bar and The Rose Kentish Kitchen pop up cafe!

Saturdays 4th, 11th and 18th December - 1-6pm - The Social, 5 Little Portland St, W1

So If any of you are down in London town please come and join us! So far my list of treats for this Saturday is as follows:

Homemade Filo Twist Mince Pies

Mini shortcrust mince pies with crème fraîche

Chocolate cupcakes with Italian Butter Icing and Edible Glitter

Christmas Rockey Road Bars

'Happy' Sausage and Cranberry Rolls

Mini Tartlets - Brie & Bacon or Spinach and Feta

Mulled Pumpkin Soup with Organic Sourdough Bread

For full lists and descriptions of all the stalls joining me in the upstairs social Christmas market follow this link;The Social Christmas Market

I look forward to seeing you all there!

How It Began

I started out cooking at a very early age. My parents are both very accomplished in the kitchen; my mother is master of pastries, cakes and desserts and my father (although he could ruin even a simple trifle) is a real savory gourmet. At every possible opportunity I shadowed them in the kitchen, helping stir mixtures, taste sauces and plan menues. It was a real moment of achievement when, at the age of 9 my dad let me make and season the gravy for the Sunday lunch.
My very first job was at a French restaurant in my local town. Every saturday I peeled the langoustines and helped prep salads before being pot-wash for the evening. The close environment, the heat, the freshly prepared dishes so beautifully presented, and the colourful language used by Fabrice, (owner and head chef now running this restaurant and hotel in the south of france), was both exciting and intense. I loved being a part of that machine.
Since then I have worked in many restaurants both front and back of house, from chef to barmaid. Having completed my degree in opera and vocal studies I moved to Florence for a month to continue my singing and stayed two years. Working in local Italian kitchens and bars I immersed myself in the Italian passion for food. Their appetite for fresh, local, seasonal produce and simple, uncomplicated dishes really inspired me and forms a huge part of the way I cook today.

The Catering

It had long been my desire to start catering privately for people in their own homes so two years ago I set up my own catering company.

Based primarily in London and Oxfordshire I provide fine food for canapé & bowl food receptions, large party buffets, gourmet barbecues, weddings, private dinner parties

wine & food tasting events

Each event uses seasonal and ethically sourced ingredients. I work closely with customers when devising menus to make sure I offer a unique and bespoke service, as well as organising all waiting staff and equipment hire.

Working in collaboration with Jack Chaddock, of MARC Fine Wines I am also able to offer a wine matching service.

For more information about the catering including menu options, canape lists, testimonials, and online inquiry forms please visit my website www.rosekentishkitchen.com. Alternatively please email me at rosekentish@gmail.com.