Food
Originally published on lush.com
You’ve probably experienced a “food flashback” of some kind - a mouthful filled with overwhelming nostalgia. Perhaps the caustic sting of vinegar whisks you straight back to a cone of chips at the seaside, or you realise it’s summer when you catch the scent of BBQ on the breeze. This curious sensation is often referred to as the “Proustian phenomenon”, a philosophy named after author Marcel Proust, who spoke of the childhood memories that came flooding back to him after the aroma of a tea-soaked madeleine.
Smell, memory and feeling are tightly knotted together, but what happens when fragrant essential oils are paired with food? We headed to Scent Chef Louise Bloor’s Essential Oils Supper Club at Lush Studio Soho to find out...
We’re greeted by a powerful lavender perfume as we walk in the room. A master mixologist explains that the drink he is preparing incorporates lavender in three different ways. Aside from the cocktail containing lavender essential oil, a small amount of lavender concrete (a jelly-like substance with a heavy herbaceous scent) is placed along one half of the rim of the glass. As a final flourish, we are handed a tiny glass tube of lavender absolute to be swept along the hand holding the glass. The flavour is surprising, an almost effervescent citrus tang hits first, before revealing deeper aromatic lavender. The scent of the lavender concrete and absolute elevate the cocktail - making the aperitif distinctive but not overpowering. Although many praise lavender for its sleepy quality, these magical martinis seemed to do the opposite, encouraging conversation and letting us mix with other foodies easily.
With palettes prepared and eager to explore more essential oil infused, vegan eats, we are asked to head into the dining room, through a colourful hanging flower wall. Long wooden tables are set up with rustic candelabras, copper cutlery, colourful glasses and jasmine-scented origami doves.
Louise introduces the plant-based menu, which includes the same food-grade essential oils used in Lush products, while we are served our first of five courses - a homemade sandalwood roll and simple artisan bread accompanied by a rich sandalwood dipping oil. At first the flavour of the rolls is subtle, but slowly the woody aroma intensifies. There is a comforting, musky undertone to the bread and the addition of the spicy essential oil gives an almost smokey flavour. It is as though the roll has been cooked in a woodfired oven, or over hot coals, while the slightly balsamic back note compliments the syrupy dipping oil - a rich and luxurious combination.
The evocative dishes trigger deeper discussion than the usual dinner table chit chat - we discuss past experiences and the people in our lives. The golden dipping oil instigates a conversation about a tour of Italian olive oil farms, the nostalgic nourishment giving everyone a common experience in which to share and enjoy.
Between courses, our waiters acquaint us with the essential oils that feature in the meal. We learn how the sandalwood tree grows parasitically on other plants and that its prized essential oil is extracted through steam distillation. These added narratives and facts ignite more discussion at the table, but also add to the ambiance in the room that suggests this meal is the product of thousands of years of history.
As we get to know our neighbours, a white bean and rosemary soup is placed in front of us, fragrant steam rising from the bowls. The soup is served with a fresh length of rosemary which we clap between our palms to release the essential oil. The scent is immediately evocative of English herb gardens, or the familiarity of a home cooked roast - making the soup undoubtedly nostalgic. The slightly chalky taste is counteracted by sharp rosemary, and a sprinkling of satisfyingly crunchy croutons offers contentment with every mouthful.
Lush Essential Oils Buyer Agnès Gendry shares tales of her travels across the globe to source exotic essential oils that grace our plates. One such ingredient is found in the next dish - a rose scented hyderabadi biryani transports us from quintessential England to the bustling streets of Southeastern India. The balance of spices within the dish have been artfully added to leave just a hint of heat on the back of our tongues, while the addition of rose scented cutlery gives the dish a heady, dreamlike quality.
Every element of the meal is related to the intoxicating world of essential oils, with glass bottles of Dalston Cola served up to accompany the dishes. The sweet cola is made with real kola nuts, lavender, citrus and spices, which adds new dimensions to the ambrosial biryani.
To cleanse our palettes ready for dessert, coffee infused fans are handed around the table creating a dark coffee zephyr. A geranium and lime sorbet arrives in a miniature cup and saucer, accompanied by a vial of boiling geranium infused water. The verdant but floral mist rises around us and we are asked to pour the water into the saucer of our desserts. We purse our lips at the incredibly tart nature of the lime sorbet, while the botanical scent from the geranium steam alters the flavour, giving it a beautiful subtlety. It’s evident that this crisp frozen treat is clearing the way for the big finale.
The closing course is placed before us - a ylang ylang meringue companioned with a seasonal rhubarb compote. Made from aquafaba, the meringues are vegan, but look and taste completely the same as egg meringues. The cream coloured meringue makes the pretty pastel pink rhubarb pop on the plate and adds a little acidity to the sugary dessert. Ylang ylang adds a sweet honeyed taste, and once the meringue has fizzed away on our tongues we are left with an uplifting floral aftertaste.
Perhaps it was the food we consumed or perhaps it was the effect of so many stunning essential oils, but there was a sense of calm around the table. The connection between guests had grown; conversation flowed easily and we felt at ease despite sitting in the company of strangers.
A whole new world of flavour had been opened up through the medium of essential oils, and we left the supper club wondering whether we would ever view food in the same way again. One thing’s for sure, next time there’s a hint of lavender in the air, or delicate rose graces our taste buds, we’ll be transported back to this moment, with new friends and delicious food.
Discover more about essential oils at the Essential Oils Hub.
Originally published on lush.com
These speakeasies, pop-up restaurants or guerilla diners offer a more personal dining experience to conventional eateries. Often held in a smaller, more intimate setting, they can be a great way to fraternise with like minded foodies and discover new cuisines.
Eating out can be expensive and for something swanky, you can sometimes expect to pay as much, if not more than £50 a head. So for frugal folks, or those of us on a budget, a supper club can offer a luxurious dining experience, that often comes at half the price.
Here are some UK based supper clubs who are offering up something a little different when it comes to a sit down dinner...
Vibe
Cardiff comradery, female empowerment and knockout vegetarian food.
What to expect
Run by Amy Holland, an ardent supporter for women’s wellness and all things girl power, female wellbeing runs through the core of Warrior Women Events. Based in Cardiff, the supper club centres on one section of the wellness wheel each time. Alongside some scrumptious Indian food from the vegetarian food studio, Amy serves up a menu of stimulating talks, goodie bags and self care activities.
Realising there was a gap in the market, Amy and former team member Stacey set up Warrior Women events. Stacey says “There’s a shift happening in the universe at the moment with women, equality and feminism and we felt like Cardiff really lacked that platform. We wanted to focus on building up the women of cardiff.”
Warrior Women Events run a series of other motivational evenings alongside their supper clubs. Amy says “Part of the wellness wheel is ‘occupational wellbeing’ so we thought we’d do a career club about helping women to develop their career.”
Food served up at the events is a significant part of the evening. Stacey explains: “The very nature of eating and gathering with one another allows people to open up more. It really brings a sense of community, so it was really important for us to embark on a supper club amongst everything else.”
Apart from leaving a great taste in your mouth, Warrior Women will leave you feeling supported, strengthened and part of the tribe. Stacey says “We want guests to feel like they’ve taken away something from the evening, encouraging them to pursue ventures, inspiring and empowering guests.” Find upcoming events on their facebook page or on eventbrite.
Top tip
Don’t feel nervous about attending this event on your own, you can expect an inclusive and amiable atmosphere when you step through the door. Amy says: “Lots of people come on their own and there’s loads of opportunities to network with people. Because of the things being talked about during the evening, it really encourages open discussion with the person next to you.”
Vibe
Boho banquet, feel-good plant-based eats in generous portions and a warm welcome.
What to expect
Set in the snug venue of Boscanova, this down to earth cafe is the bohemian backdrop for Kara’s Vegan Supper Club. Near to the vibrant South West seaside town of Bournemouth, this plant-based pop-up proves that great vegan food needn’t be London centric. Kara’s menu is full of fanciful rainbow colours, offering wholesome, meat and dairy free food that has finesse and creative flare in equal measure.
Kara’s passion for creating full-flavoured vegan food is clear, letting big flavours do the talking and setting aside the stigma that plant-based plates can be preachy. Kara says “I love new flavours, coming up with new recipes and using seasonal, local produce. Every supper club I make something which I’ve never cooked before, so it’s all new to me as well.”
Rustic and real, this supper club is about proper soul food, where you can expect generous portions for a reasonable price. Kara isn’t shadey when it comes to sharing her recipes, encouraging everyone to come along, vegan or not: “I want to share knowledge and recipes with people. I also run cookery classes and I want everyone to enjoy my food and the experience.”
Kara’s Vegan Supper Club runs on the last Friday of every month, but you can find out when her next event is here.
Top tip
Laid back Kara believes that the key to a memorable supper club is the atmosphere: “As long as everyone is happy and chilled then that’s what it’s all about. A family feel, where you can just help yourself. It’s not pretentious, it’s just really relaxed.”
Vibe
Follow your food from forage to frying pan with a guided foraging course followed by dinner alfresco.
What to expect
Run by the passionate outdoors twosome Jade and Dan, Fore, is a company that encourages people to grow, eat and gather in a bid to reconnect people with their food. Set along the breathtaking Dorset coastline, you are invited to take a walk on the wild side and learn about fresh, native plants and ingredients that are on your doorstep.
You don’t have to be an adventurer to attend this open-air event, Jade says “Not everyone wants to kayak or paddle board, some people just want to be outdoors in a much gentler way.”
Guests spend 3 - 4 hours foraging and banqueting on a smorgasbord of sublime seasonal food and drinks and are given a chance to learn about the preparation of wild ingredients, making foraging accessible to all. Jade says “It’s nice to have different walks of life and different ages interacting, because normally they probably wouldn’t be sat around the table together.”
Meals are prepared and cooked outdoors as much as possible, on fires and BBQ’s, something which Jade feels is part of the charm of these events: “There’s a real sense of camp comradery when eating outside. We eat together under the stars and it’s just a much more intimate environment.”
Being involved in the foraging process, witnessing and learning about preparation of wild ingredients links guests’ “palettes to their plates” but above all Foraging & Feasting is about giving people back an affiliation with their food.
Jade says “We’ve become quite disconnected from food. We work with school children a lot and we ask them where a potato comes from and they’ll say the supermarket. Because they don’t always understand the whole story behind food, they don’t appreciate it in the same way or have the same sense of responsibility for the environment that they may have if they understood how much effort went into growing things.”
Jade and Dan don’t take ingredients from sensitive locations, only taking what they need and obtaining landowner’s permission in order to forage sustainably. You can find the dates of their events on their website. If you have any dietary requirements, then simply let them know beforehand so that they can plan their menu accordingly.
Top tip
Jade’s top tips on being are great forager? “You have to have the patience to learn and the time to get out and about. But you also have to be willing to get wet!”
Vibe
Contemporary art brought to a wider audience through the medium of imaginative food.
What to expect
Anchored in London, expect the unexpected at these unconventional supper clubs come art exhibitions. Each dinner plate is a canvas which complements a guest artist’s work for the evening.
Co founder of The Gramounce Nora explains the inspiration behind starting the supper club and how it’s about more than just pretty plates “It all started because we have an arts collective and we wanted to fundraise for our projects. Since we already have a link to the art world, we thought it would be a great idea to include art in the dinner to make it more interesting. It’s not just about feeding people, it’s also about the experience that you get and the ideas that are exposed throughout the dinner.”
After each event, profits are split evenly between the exhibition curator, artist and chef, helping to provide support to artists in a transparent way. Nora explains: “We aim to set an example. Usually when you are an artist you are not usually paid to produce work unless you sell it. It’s also a challenge for artists, because not only do they have to produce an exhibition, they also have to confront an audience and explain it. I think that it’s a good exercise for artists, as they are encouraged to reflect on what they’ve made.”
The Gramounce helps to make art accessible to everyone. Nora says “The crowd that goes out for supper clubs is much more diverse than the crowd that goes to contemporary art galleries. During the dinner we introduce every plate of food with the work the plate is based on and the guest is walked through the exhibition.”
The team are in the process of re-launching their supper clubs, but will be back up and running soon. Keep an eye on their website for their next events and to view examples of previous menus.
Top tip
Nora believes the key to a great supper club is exquisite food: “Sometimes there’s so much effort put into the concept behind the dinner that the food is an afterthought, but I really think that the food needs to be outstanding.”
Whether you’re feeling motivated to start your own supper club or attend one of these feel-good feasts, why not try something out of the ordinary and shake up your usual dining experience?
Originally published on lush.com
Has this scorching sunshine got you feeling rather continental? Long hot evenings are begging for BBQ’s and al fresco dining, so while the sun is shining why not push aside the T.V dinner in favour of grazing in the great outdoors. Here are a few open air dining experiences which go beyond barbecued bean burgers.
Have you ever noticed how much better food tastes when you’re on holiday? That’s because you’re probably focusing more on your food. Studies have shown that when we’re in a more laid-back state we’re more likely to be mindful of the food we’re consuming. This helps us to concentrate more on flavours and look beyond distractions to the colours and textures on our plates.
Aside from being able to catch some rays while tucking into some good grub, we naturally relax more when eating outside. Not only does this mean we tend to savour and appreciate our meals more, but it can even improve our immune systems by lowering the stress hormone cortisol. We also react physically to being outside, our blood pressure lowers and muscle tension reduces, helping us to feel less stressed or anxious.
Whatever the reason, there’s no denying that food often tastes better when we’re enjoying it in the arms of Mother Nature, but it often gets a bad rep. Eating outdoors doesn’t have to mean beans cooked on a camping stove or sausages in soggy buns, here are some options to try this summer that are good for both our brains and bellies.
Vibe
Find the countryside in the centre of the city
What to expect
During the Summer months, the beautiful Victorian gardens of the Geffrye Museum in London are transformed into a rustic allotment come outdoor restaurant and bar. Sit amongst the vegetable patches in a variety of bookable spaces, from potting sheds to treehouses and enjoy fresh, locally sourced food in a stunning and quirky setting. Menus change daily, with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options to choose from, while the organic backdrop helps make green fingered guests feel at home. While your food is being cooked on the hot coals of a raised BBQ, enjoy a cocktail from the wheelbarrow of a wandering garden-tender, or simply drink in this lush oasis in the middle of London. You can book your space here.
Vibe
Cornish coves and sunset dinners
What to expect
Tucked into a secluded location and overlooking a beautiful bay, The Hidden Hut lives up to its name and is a short walk along the coast path from Portscatho town. This modest cabin serves up crowd pleasing belly-timber at a reasonable price. Everything is made fresh on the day and is locally sourced, meaning the menu changes with the seasons, while communal benches offer a chance to meet with foodies from around the world. As well as lunches, The Hidden Hut holds feast nights where you can enjoy a banquet of tasty food and a cosy fire, whatever the weather. Just book in advance, bring your own cutlery and drinks, and wrap up warm so you can drink in the stunning view in comfort. After dinner, hot water bottles and blankets are handed out so you can watch the sunset over the water. What could be more dreamy?
Picnics that pack a punch
Vibe
Laid back lunching and family fun
What to expect
Picnics needn’t mean traditional gingham blankets and wicker baskets, they can be whatever you want them to be. Why not set a theme for your picnic to make it a little more interesting? Go for an ‘all around the world’ theme and invite guests to bring along a dish from their favourite cuisine, or hold a Mexican fiesta complete with fill-your-own tacos, freshly made guac and margaritas. Think outside the box when choosing your spot - rooftops, sculpture gardens or open air theatres will make your picnic all the more interesting!
Riverford Field Kitchen, Devon
Vibe
From seed to supper - seasonality at its best
What to expect
When they’re not out in the field growing organic vegetables, Riverford are showcasing authentically grown ingredients at the Field Kitchen. Surrounded by the Devon countryside, ingredients are harvested just metres from your plate and chefs cook up a feast of six-eight dishes from the freshest produce. Unlike many other restaurants, the Field Kitchen has just one sitting, where everyone is served at the same time and the starter/main rule is derailed in a favour of a steady flow of generous portions ensuring nobody leaves hungry. At the end of your meal you’ll be invited to come up to the kitchen and choose a tempting dessert to end your feast with. Explore the gardens, or sit and gaze at the view from the sun terrace, but make sure you book in advance as these guys are popular!
Vibe
Tea in a tree!
What to expect
This adorable wooden treehouse restaurant looks like it stepped straight out of a fairytale. Nestled in the heart of Northumberland in The Alnwick Garden, The Treehouse restaurant is complete with wobbly rope bridges, wooden walkways and a log fire to keep you cosy. An adventurous way to relive your childhood dreams while eating dinner in the tree canopy - spend the day wandering around the colourful gardens before indulging in an evening of enchanting food and drink. Book in to enjoy food from a locally sourced menu with a good range of veggie options, or enjoy a cocktail whilst listening to some live music.
At home
Vibe
Impress your friends with a plant-based BBQ
What to expect
You don’t need to be a herbivore to enjoy this glorious cookbook - swap sausages for tandoori tofu skewers or wow your pals with eggplant hot dogs and cauliflower cutlets. These are just a few of the deliciously noteworthy recipes which feature in the Vegan BBQ. Written by the self-proclaimed “food-nerds” Nadine Horn and Jörg Mayer, this book will ensure your BBQ stands out from the rest.
So while the weather is warm, why not swap the crustless cucumber sandwiches and picnic fodder for something a little more luxurious? If you’re still looking for unconventional ways to dine, you’ll find some splendid supper clubs from across the country here.