Food World

Question 1

What is Kol?

Answer 1

Acclaimed Mexican restaurant in London run by chef Santiago Lastra. 23rd best restaurant in the world in 2023 and host to a Noma pop-up in the same year.

Question 2

What is Kiln?

Answer 2

Thai restaurant in London that also incorporates Egyptian and Middle Eastern flavours. They also use a lot of fruit including gooseberries, tamarind and rhubarb, plus lamb and spices.

As seen in F*ck That’s Delicious.

Question 3

What did you have at Ballymaloe House 12/09/2023?

Answer 3

Melon sorbet with Campari soda, plaice tempura with dill mayonnaise, Moroccan spiced lamb with raisins, pistachios, runner beans and roast parsnips, and lemon meringue roulade with fig ice cream!

Question 4

What are the names of the most prominent women involved in the Ballymaloe business?

Answer 4

Myrtle, Darina and Rachel Allen.

Question 5

What is a Bain Marie?

Answer 5

A Bain Marie is a water bath. It involves filling one vessel with water (such as a saucepan) and then applying heat. A second vessel is placed on top and its contents can be gently heated indirectly by the water. This provides a slow and even heat and is this often used where there is a high risk of burning or curdling.

Question 6

What can you remember from Matsukawa Omakase (Dublin) on 21/10/2023?

Answer 6

We sat in corner section to left of front entrance. Horseradish with miso and purple Irish potatoes in thin strips, then Hamachi and salmon sashimi, then savoury egg custard with cute elongated spoon, then about 16 nigiri of which the most memorable:

Japanese chive with bonito flakes
Hamachi seared with blowtorch
Squid with amazing silky texture and citrusy punch
Prawn with elongated tail and shell powder between fish and rice

Then miso soup

Then dessert which was Kuzumochi aka taro root starch (cut from a big wobbly block) with soy bean powder and muscovado syrup.

Chef talked about being poached from Yamamori by benefactor, shark-skin wasabi grater and Michelin aspirations.