Best in Taste Awards 2011
Pascal Aussignac awarded best dish at Taste of London restaurant festival
The London party scene enjoyed a serving of gourmet heaven last night (Wed 15 June) as world class chefs descended upon Regent’s Park for the Taste of London Preview Night where AA Gill, Alain Ducasse and Alex James were just a few names to appear at the top of the guest list.
Stealing the show however was Pascal Aussignac, head chef at Club Gascon and winner of the Best in Taste Award 2011 with his dish: foie gras burger and summer truffle.
A panel of critics and food writers including Rene Redzepi, Gizzi Erskine, Matthew Fort, Kate Spicer,
Zoe Williams, Jay Rayner and Joe Warwick spent over six hours tasting signature dishes from 40 of the capitals top restaurants.
Revered critic Jay Rayner wasn’t surprised by the decision. “Club Gascon’s foie gras burger is shamelessly outrageous and an absolute joy. Is it good for you? No. Does it make you feel good? Yes!”
Pascal Aussignac was thrilled with the result. “I wanted to do something with foie gras that would fit with summer. It’s a cool approach to have it roasted on a burger and the combination with the truffle works well for this time of year. It kind of suits the summer time pallet.”
Coming a close second was newcomer Helena Puolakka of Skylon with a warm smoked Loch Var salmon, lemon verbena jelly and pickled cucumber and sweet rye.
In third place was Launceston Place’s Tristan Welch with a rice pudding souffle with raspberry sauce for two. A special mention also went to Paramount’s Colin Layfield for his rump of lamb, goat's cheese and white onion tart with sweet pea puree.
With the Best in Taste dishes revealed, wine tipster, Neil Phillips lead the charge with the inaugural Best in Taste Wine Awards which saw Italy take home two of the three awards winning the Taste of Summer category (Prosecco, Riccardo NV) and the Indulgence Award (Felsina Vin Santo 2001).
A Spanish white secured the Foodies Wine Award (Gran Feudo Chardonnay 2008, Bodegas Chivite) which went down well with the panel which included the likes of Denise Medrano (The Wine Sleuth), Roberto Della Pietro (Gauthier Soho), Mickey Narea (Launceston Place) and Neil Phillips (Taste of London wine ambassador).
Best in Taste Award
1) Winner: Club Gascon - Pascal Aussignac - Foie gras burger and summer truffle
2) 1st runner up: Skylon - Helena Puolakka - warm smoked Loch Var salmon, lemon verbena jelly and pickled cucumber and sweet rye
3) 2nd runner up: Launceston Place - Tristan Welch - rice pudding souffle with raspberry sauce for two
* Special Mention: Paramount - Colin Layfield - rump of lamb, goat's cheese and white onion tart with sweet pea puree.
Best in Taste Wine Awards
Taste of Summer Award - Prosecco Riccardo NV, Italy
Foodies Wine Award - Gran Feudo Chardonnay 2008, Bodegas Chivite, Spain
Indulgence Award - Felsina Vin Santo 2001, Italy
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Taste of London is celebrating what is arguably its best restaurant line-up to date, totaling an impressive eleven Michelin stars. Scott’s, Le Caprice, Petrus, Skylon, Gauthier Soho and Bocca di Lupo / Gelupo are just a handful of new restaurants involved for 2011, promising to delight over 50,000 visitors across the four days at London’s Regent’s Park between 16th and 19th June.
Sitting alongside Taste of London favourites such as Le Gavroche, Rhodes 24, Maze and Benares, a total of 40 restaurants will serve up dishes from around the world with classic British, modern European and infused Asian offerings from world class chefs. International talent including Helena Puolakka (Skylon), Tamas Khan (ORA) and Alexis Gauthier (Gauthier Soho) will be joining homegrown household names such as Gary Rhodes and Michel Roux Jr.
Restaurants at Taste London 2011
Asia de Cuba • Awana • Barrafina • Benares • Bentley’s • Bocca di Lupo / Gelupo • Chef Collin Brown • Club Gascon • Corrigan’s Mayfair • Fino • Fouronine • Gaucho • Gauthier Soho • Kai Mayfair • Launceston Place • Le Caprice • Le Gavroche • L’Anima • L’Etranger • Maze • Melati • Opera Tavern • ORA • Paramount • Petrus • Quo Vadis • Refettorio • Rhodes 24 • Roux at The Landau • Satay House • Scott’s • Skylon • Suka • Tamarind • The Cinnamon Club • The Modern Pantry • The Ritz • Yauatcha • York & Albany •
Taste of London visitors can dine from 40 of the capital's top restaurants, try and buy from 200 food and drink producers, enjoy fine wine tasting and watch some of the world's greatest chefs demonstrate their skills live on stage.
150 speciality food and drink producers are expected to delight and inspire 50,000 visitors at the event alongside live cooking demonstrations and interactive features sponsored by Waitrose, AEG, Meet Jamaica and Peugeot.
New for 2011 is the Secret Garden which will be tucked away in an exclusive enclave of Marylebone Green. The beautiful gastronomic oasis will play host to a line of world class chefs including Silvena Rowe, Gary Rhodes, Michel Roux Jr, Chris Galvin, Theo Randall and Jacob Kenedy and provide a stage for the much anticipated British BBQ Championships where 18 of the UKs most renowned chefs including Tristan Welch (Launceston Place), Paul Merrett (The Victoria) and Atul Kochhar (Benares) will battle it out on the coals to impress a line-up of revered food critics.
British Airways is once again on board and will be offering some first class service at its Exec Club Lounge whilst Masterclasses with Laurent-Perrier, Estrella and San Pellegrino will introduce guests to an indulgent tasting experience.
Taste Festivals has set a new benchmark for food and drink events worldwide. In 2011 there will be 14 Taste Festivals across the world all based on the flagship event, Taste of London. Taste of London runs from 16th – 19th June in Regent’s Park, London. Tickets are on sale now.
Pre-purchased Ticket Prices
Standard (entry only) £22.00
Child (entry only) £12.00
Premium (entry + £20 of Crowns) £38.00
VIP (fast track entry + VIP area, glass of champagne & £20 of Crowns) £55.00
Laurent-Perrier Masterclass (VIP benefits + entry to one LP Masterclass) £75.00
Secret Garden Pass:
(Secret Garden benefits + canapés, glass of champagne & £20 of Crowns) £95.00
Crowns are the official Taste of London currency used to purchase food and drink consumed at the event.