Our mixed lunch today was bought to us by Chef of the Day Prof Mark Bradford with assistance from Gary Patterson. Numbers for the lunch were excellent with over 45 and there was absolutely no disappointment.

Canapés. Between Gary and Mark, we managed to get through three starters. First up was crostini with mascarpone, dill, smoked ocean trout and lemon zest. Mark made this a little in advance and a fresher/firmer base would have enhanced the experience although the flavour was excellent. Next up were the very popular Calabrese bites starring Calabrese salami, basil leaf, bocconcini ball and both cherry and sun-dried tomatoes. These were threaded through a toothpick and warmed and flew off the plates. We then sat down for a chilled summer cream of fennel soup with Parmesan and cream. Very tasty and there were differing opinions as to whether it should have been served slightly warm. Great starters.

Aperitif wine. We had a range of aperitif wines to begin, but the main deal was Aubert Rose NV Champagne. Whilst the Champagne was doing a stunning disappearing feat, we also enjoyed some sherry, Framingham Riesling and Belgravia Merlot. A truly agnostic bunch.

Main course. Mark chose to serve us veal masala. Serving for over 45 people without overcooking the very thin veal may have been a worry for Mark but he did it with aplomb, providing us a crisp exterior with a pink centre. This was served with the usual cream, mushroom and garlic, but on Israeli couscous cooked in beef stock. The green was broccolini sautéed in garlic. Accolades were given and deserved.

The Wines.

• Cos Cerasuolo (Sicily) 2011
• Guigal Cotes du Rhone 2009
• Tyrrells Rufus Stone (Heathcote) 2004 and 2002
• Tatachilla Partners Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2001

The two reds with the main course were excellent for very different reasons. The Sicilian wine, the very elegant, light and long finishing blend of 60% Nero d’Avola and 40% Frappato, saw no wood and was new to many. Sicily is a high performing wine producer and many of these wines are matured in concrete seeing no oak at all. The Rhône wine being mainly Grenache was bright and flavoursome and Guigal is always great value and many in the room drink this wine. Good combination.

The two vintages of the Heathcote wine spread around the room were old-style Australian Shiraz but with enough age to soften them somewhat. Heathcote have lifted their game since the early 2000’s. The McLaren Vale Cabernet Shiraz at 16 years of age was certainly showing it. Passed its peak it was very soft but lacked intensity and was just a little tired.

Cheese and coffee. Gary Linnane treated the room this week with some French Beaufort cheese, one of the more expensive cheeses we enjoy. It is an alpine cheese from the Savoie region of the French Alps and it is a firm, raw cow’s milk cheese associated with the Gruyère family. A treat.

Gary Linnane was generous in supplying a few bottles of the DB Show Reserve Liquer Muscat NV. Very aged, lost in his cellar, this old De Bortoli was a real treat.

Spencer Ferrier provided both coffee and tea. The coffee was a Brazil Cerrado from Santa Lucia and it was a fine coffee, very flavoursome and a medium finish. The tea was Golden Yunnan a relatively high end black Chinese tea from the Yunnan province in China. Spencer had ground the tea leaves (who knew we could even do that!) prior to adding water and the many people who had tea much enjoyed the option.

Mark gave a thorough breakdown of the meal and his efforts were rewarded with acclaim.

A great day for food, good company and buzz.