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Mark Perlaki talks wine dinners in Harrogate
Wines featured at latest Harrogate wine dinner
A brief chat with Head Sommelier Mark Perlaki of Hotel du Vin in Harrogate. In this podcast (also available on iTunes), Mark dispells the illusion that all wine events are for the expert and initiated. All it takes is a love of great wine and food.
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Graduation – A day to remember.
One poignant moment comes and goes and we’re all asked – ‘Where were you?’, then shortly after comes another one. Life is a stream of decisions, moments and memories, so although you might not think it at the time, your choice of where to watch the Royal wedding, who to spend your 21st with, and what to wear on your graduation day for fear of tripping up on stage, are all decisions, that lead to moments, that lead to great memories that last a lifetime.
I’d like to say I cracked open the Champagne and celebrated my graduation with my friends and family, digging in to a good steak and swapping comments of thankfulness and hilarity that I was the one who tripped on the gown, but I sort of let the occasion go by without a sense of importance and without much appreciation to my family who had seen me through the long, long hours and mounds of drawing pads. Talks of drinks and meals with fellow graduates fell by the wayside and no-one really seemed too excited about yet another night at the Dog and Parrot.
In hindsight, if I were to do it again, I’d absolutely make more of an occasion of it all. I’d gather up all my loved ones and celebrate with them in style. Dressed in our finest I’d splash out and have the Champagne on ice, the chocolate strawberries in circulation and weather permitting, we’d be dining alfresco. I’d have definitely opted for the Champagne Afternoon Tea all round, which to me would have suited the occasion and the moment down to a ‘tea’, with delicate, delicious finger sandwiches, creamy scones (my father’s favourite) and sponge cake (my favourite).
Father's favourite
Many, like me, may let the day drift by, or spend it in the ‘Dog’ without putting any great significance on the achievement. But having spent years of studying, striving and of test cramming, to set a platform for the future, I think a celebration with substance is the least the graduate and equally their nearest and dearest deserve.
And so, I’m gathering my family for that Champagne Afternoon Tea, even if I am a decade late, to toast to them, and to all those who support and nurture with love, humour and wise words. Thank you. To all those decisions, moments and memories. This time, no trip ups.
United we stand in celebration.
We’ve been given an extra day off. Another blissfully long, four day weekend. Thanks to the Royal Wedding, whether you’re big on bunting or burying your head under the duvet, for this extra day off, I am truly thankful. I for one, think it’s a day to celebrate. To be proud of being British and of all things British. We sometimes forget to rally our sense of spirit and be a part of something, especially after the recent tough times and impending ‘double-dip’.
This is a happy event, that will go down in history and that as a country we kind of need to lift that spirit again. You may be sick as a chip of seeing it on the news, but I say let’s dig out those smart get ups and have something to talk about when we inevitably get asked when back at work ‘Where were you on Friday?’ And let’s face it, there’s not many occasions I can get away with my blue, spotted, heart shaped fascinator – but I’m sure this is one of them.
So, I’ll have my fingers crossed and shades at the ready for the sun to stick around. I’ll be gathering my nearest and dearest together in their most glorious finery, and instead of my usual glass of Pinot, I’ll be trying out some of the English wine and fizz everyone’s talking about. They sound like they’re going to be as big as the wedding itself this year. British wines and bubbly they tell me, are becoming a big hit for 2011 and beyond. as trends change and our summers are a few days longer. I think it would be rude not to give them a whirl. And they are of course being served at the Royal Wedding itself, so if it’s good enough for the happy couple… The Sommelier at Hotel du Vin & Bistro suggested I try a Balfour Brut Rosé or a Nannette’s English Rosé both from Hush Heath Estate in Kent, so I’ll be ordering a couple of those.
Once we’ve watched the celebration on TV or big screen and the vows have been made, being a Friday off and all, I know I won’t want the moment to end there. I’m never the first one to leave anything, so I’m thinking how quintessential a way to continue the afternoon than with an afternoon tea – a Champagne one of course. I can’t not have cake at a wedding…..any excuse. My favourite cake at that, light, fluffy, jam and cream filled, a nod to the British baking tradition, the Victoria Sponge. My mouth waters just thinking about it. Before the sweet I also can’t resist my favourite crust free sandwiches. I’m hoping for salmon, cucumber and cream cheese.
I’m not having my own street party as I live city centre and the main road might prove tricky to block off – so I’m heading for my local Hotel du Vin. That way I have the option of indoors or al fresco and they’ll definitely have all the treats I’m hankering for to save me attempting them at home – minus the cake mix plastered walls! – so I’d like to be treated like Royalty this weekend and be served wine and cakes for no other reason than I’m British.
You may choose to join me and be waited on, or you may fancy trying some of these specially created recipes below from Keith Shearer, Executive Chef at Hotel du Vin, for your own street party or soiré at home. Here’s to a happy Friday wherever you are. Whatever you choose to do, I choose to celebrate with loved ones. It’s not often we get a free Friday together.
Where will you be?
Victoria Sandwich cake
Ingredients:
200gm caster sugar
200gm butter
4 eggs
200gm self raising flour
1tsp baking powder
Method:
Cream butter and sugar together,
Add eggs one at a time and mix till well creamed,
Add sieved flour and baking powder,
Mix till a smooth batter is achieved,
Pour into a greased lined cake tin bake at 180c,
Bake for 20mins till well risen and firm to the touch,
Leave to cool split through the middle spread with strawberry jam (fresh whipped cream or butter cream optional),
Replace the top and dust with icing sugar
Sponge and scones
Buttermilk Scones
Ingredients:
250gm strong white flour
500gm plain flour
90gm butter
90gm sugar
5gm salt
45gm baking powder
500ml butter milk
Method:
Rub butter through dry ingredients until fine crumbs are achieved,
Add buttermilk and mix to combine, do not over mix,
Roll out to one inch thickness and cut out circular shapes,
Egg wash the top (careful not to get any egg wash on sides of scone or it will stop them rising),
Bake at 210c until well risen and golden brown,
Serve with clotted cream and strawberry jam
Banana Bread
Ingredients:
1lb ripe bananas
1lb caster sugar
4 whole eggs
8floz oil
8oz melted butter
1lb plain flour
1 1/2 oz baking powder
Method:
In a machine bowl whisk bananas and sugar together,
Add eggs oil and melted butter,
Sieve flour and baking powder together,
Fold into banana mixture,
Pour into greased and lined 1lb loaf tins scale at 400gm,
Bake at 180c for 30-40 mins
Fruit Tarts
Sweet Pastry
Ingredients:
280gm sugar
690gm butter
3 eggs
1125gm strong white flour
Method:
Lightly cream butter and sugar together,
Add eggs slowly until well incorporated,
Add flour until just combined,
Reserve till needed,
Roll out 3-4 mm thick line small tart cases bake blind till fully baked leave to cool,
Brush melted chocolate into the tart case
Pastry Cream
Ingredients:
550gm milk
1 vanilla pod split and scraped
6 egg yolks
125gm caster sugar
30gm plain flour
15gm corn flour
Method:
Heat milk with vanilla pod,
Whisk caster sugar and egg yolks together,
With the flour and corn flour,
Add hot milk to egg mix return to stove cook out,
Chill reserve till needed, fold in semi-whipped cream to soften
Assemble:
Fill tart shells with pastry cream, decorate with seasonal fruit – nice combination of colours,
Finish off with a clear pastry glaze on top, set removes drips,
Run toasted desiccated coconut round the edge to finish.
Recipes by Keith Shearer, Executive Chef at Hotel du Vin & Bistro
Good news! Two Hotel du Vin Sommeliers in last 16 for UK Sommelier of the Year 2011
It’s with great pride we announce two of our finest have made it into the final of UK Sommelier of the Year hosted by the The Academy of Food and Wine Service. This prestigious honour is within the grasp of Mark Perlaki from Hotel du Vin Harrogate and Wiremu Andrews from our Hotel in Cheltenham.
With three nominees from the Fat Duck and two from Hotel du Vin, we’re in very fine company indeed. The result will be announced in the next few weeks. When we know. You’ll now. Best wishes to Mark and Wiremu.
My ideal afternoon…with tea
Tempted
Image from photoshoot
I can’t function without a strong brew the minute I open my eyes – but I must have it in a tea cup with a saucer. Unbelievably I’m a novice and have only once ventured into the world of afternoon teas, and that occasion was for a particular charity event at which we had to dress in a 20’s to 40′s theme and have our pictures taken in sepia. Thankfully my wardrobe’s full of items from every era and always a pair of red Mary Janes, so I was pretty well suited and this was the ideal way to spend the afternoon for me. I enjoyed it thoroughly, leaving me with the one thought that ‘I must do this more often’.
Other than this, my eclectic collection of retro cups and saucers continues to take over my kitchen, coupled with my mission to bake the perfect jam sponge. But until recently, I had nowhere that fully accommodated my desire for cake and tea served in exactly the right way. Attention to detail is the most important ingredient of a well created afternoon tea.
New Bowers and Wilkens ipod docking stations at One Devonshire Gardens
A new edition to One Devonshire Gardens our Glasgow property. We’ve always prided ourselves on being a touch cutting edge and we’ve had docking stations before, but since trialing these speakers we decided a full upgrade was in order. You’ll see these in every room at One Devonshire Gardens. The contents of your ipod are a guarded secret, but at least you know at ODG the sound quality, much like the hotel will be absolutely top notch. (Thanks to Grant Shepherd at ODG for the pic)
Second Bistro du Vin to open on Dean Street, in Soho – mid June 2011
Following hot on the heels of the official opening of our Bistro in Clerkenwell, we’re delighted to announce our second Bistro du Vin, this time on Dean Street in Soho. The former Los Iguanos restaurant will be dusted with the du Vin magic brush. It will feature the same surefire success elements, like the Josper Grill, the “By-the-Glass” machine, and the same undying passion for simple bistro classics combined with a genuine love for great wine.
Bistro du Vin is officially open.
The party’s over, the service truly begins.
What an evening. London turned out in force to support the bistro opening night. Bloggers, celebrities, media londonistas, top chefs. The roll call on the culinary side is as follows – Michel Roux Jr, Stuart Gillies, Pierre Kauffman – all seemed impressed and stayed a while to witness the artistry and graft of Keith Shearer and his boys working the live kitchen.
On entering guests were treated to an exclusive Marmalade vodka infused martini or a cool iced tea infused with Millers gin. The food stations and our prized pewter top were brimming with shellfish and cuts of steak. The Josper Grill well and truly fired up filled the kitchen space with an amazing smokey aroma. Meanwhile in the live butchery, Eric from La Cave de Fromage hosted a majestic display of his finest cheeses, which proved to be immensely popular to say the least. Music was provided by Mario and his jazz quartet. The drink flowed. The food flowed. All there were more than served with the simple taste of “du Vin”.
The “by the glass” dispenser proved to be a complete smash. Busy all night. The music continued with Universal signed artist Jonathan Jeremiah, who provided a rousing uplifting set of songs from his album. And a thoroughly nice guy too. Downstairs in the the “Whisky Snuggle” the Scotch Malt Whisky Society held a night long tasting. I think I caught him at one point describing a whisky as the Angelina Jolie of whiskys – our kind of guy.
The whisky, the wine, the food continued to flow. At one point the outside became an alfresco cigar venue. Good times. Eventually the coats were taken from the vintage lockers and some of us headed off to our London beds (although some are still believed to be still there.
A massive thank you to all who attended. Keep the faith and see you in Soho in June for the second.
Thanks to Eat Out for such a swift review too.
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