Once AGM was over, we moved to the magnificent Bar and were treated to Champagne Beaumet, from the Laurent Perrier stables with canapés. We then moved to dinner to the David Lloyd George room were an imposing oval table where the Club Silver and the beautiful RDG Roll of Honour were proudly displayed.
Past President, Simon Roberts FIH, was hosting the dinner and looked after us very well. the member’s-only dinner followed the tradition for this event, with the menu and wines only being revealed on the night. And what a wonderful evening it turned out to be.
We started with a confit chicken and foie gras terrine served with Vouvray 2011, then followed with wild Scottish venison and a delicious Chateau Haut Bages Liberal, Pauillac 1999. Pudding was a ginger parkin with poached rhubarb served with a 10 years old Malmsey. As this is the tradition in Club land, we finished our meal with a savoury “crab and Berkswell rarebit” washed down with a LBV 2009 Taylors.
The dinner was well attended and it was lovely to see Anton Mosimann. Quite a few Past Presidents stayed for dinner which was great to see.
Serge Pradier, President of the Réunion des Gastronomes closed the evening by formally thanking Simon Roberts FIH and his team for their hospitality, leading us with a rousing “Santé du Chef et Service” for making this such an enjoyable evening.
The President’s fund draw – for Westminster Kingsway College and WLU to assist any hospitality students as they felt appropriate during the course of their studies – benefited from a generous donation of £400 The prize of £175.00 voucher to spend at the Landau (Michel Roux) restaurant, kindly donated by Duncan Palmer, Regional Vice-President and Managing Director of the Langham London, was won by Past President, Graham Bamford, Clerk (Elect) at The Worshipful Company of Farmers.
Serge Pradier