The last weekend of August saw the return of the music and food festival, The Big Feastival. Last year’s was a hoot and this year proved the same, no better! How so? Well, it kicked off with a gastronomic treat, as I had a guest invite to Electrolux’s Chef’s Table tent. Heading the table were Bristol based brothers Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias of Michelin star restaurant, Casamia.
Sanchez Brothers Plating Up (in the middle)
A four course taster menu ensued, which saw simply named dishes such as Quiche Lorraine; Tomatoes and Mozzarella; Duck, Carrot and Fennel, and Peaches and Cream. The underplayed titled courses were exquisite, masterfully plated and beautifully crafted – seriously good, food buzzing stuff. The Quiche Lorraine had a deep rich cheese flavour with a delightful crisp base. Almost all produce in the Tomato and Mozzarella course were British apart from the olive crumb. The Sanchez brothers do in fact champion seasonal British produce, which the menu back at their restaurant is based around.
My only niggle is that the fat on the duck course could have been rendered down more, but pah, it was still a sensational dish, what with a fennel seed crunch on the skin and a wonderfully tender duck underneath. A few interesting flavour combos popped up too like thyme in the peaches and cream, but it worked of course, these guys know what they’re doing.
Quiche Lorraine
Duck, Carrot and Fennel
Peaches and Cream
It was an introduction that left me wanting more, I could have eaten the whole thing, twice over, but as it was, I had enough room to try the other food offerings around the site.
The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company
Crab Flatbread (from above)
Laudes Chorizo Stall
Cider
Like last year, we had the weather on our side lifting the spirits, which was almost dampened by the melancholic set by Lianne de Havas. I mean, she has a nice voice, but she could have picked happier tunes to play. And talking of spirits, I might have later found myself in the Gran Marnier tent for a bit too long, hic.
Lianne de Havas
I also got to take part in Electrolux’s Chef’s Secrets with Nigel Haworth, head chef at the Northcote restaurant in Lancashire. He’s a funny man, engaging in lots of banter and talked a bunch of us through making a very tasty Broad Bean and Pea Risotto.
Chefs’ Secrets
Broad Bean and Pea Risotto
Main Stage
Like last year, there was the same story of missing out on the headline act due to not enough late trains. They really need to sort that out; especially as people pay £60 for a day ticket, to then miss out on the final set is not on. I was gutted last year to only catch a couple of songs from Paloma Faith, and gutted again this year not to see Basement Jaxx. I still had a fab time overall though.
Many thanks to Electrolux for the invite.
