This pop up was paid for and promoted by Citroen to launch their DS5. All the proceeds went to Fareshare and the amazing menu below was created by the creative Tim Anderson – Masterchef Winner 2011.
The 5 course menu cost just £5 per person with proceeds in aid of Fareshare but to be honest I think most of us who went along donated more gladly at the end of the meal as it was such an amazing experience.
I had the vegetarian version and I’d like to take a moment to commend Tim and his partner chef Sujan Sarkar for creating a veggie menu that didn’t make me feel left out. It followed all the same themes as the main menu and my experience was just as delightful as my companion’s.
The event was at a Shoreditch Art Gallery so I felt very hip and trendy! We arrived to a lovely glass of prosecco and the chance to look around the new Citroen DS5.
Me – Drinking and Driving!
Hip and Trendy Art Space
“Food is the only art form that engages all five senses” Tim Anderson, Masterchef winner 2011.
Tim’s menu was based on the five senses so each course represented Tim’s interpretation of these. Very befitting that these were served in an art gallery as they were all worthy of display and admiration.
We started with some lovely breadsticks and olive oil served with an unusual twist.
Caraway Bread and emulsified Olive Oil in Tube
Touch – Textures of Melon – Glass, Silk, Leather
Quinoa Crunch and Melon Leather
Terrine of Honeydew, Rock and Water Melon
This course was intriguing. The melon really did feel leathery and the texture and taste of the quinoa was like sesame snaps.
Sight – Visions of Beetroot – Red, Gold, White and Pink
Goat’s Cheese and Wasabi Cream, Various Beetroots and Citrus Vinaigrette
I cannot tell you how amazing this Goat’s Cheese and Wasabi Cream was. Tim wasn’t cooking on the day I went so on an impromptu visit to the kitchen, Sajan explained to me that the beetroot is cooked to a specific temperature and the cream is then dipped into it so that it then sets over it like a layer of jelly. Amazing!
Taste – Flavours of Mushroom – Cheesy, Mushroomy, Nutty, Fruity
Wild Mushroom and Blue Cheese Risotto Cakes with Romanesco, Cashew Butter and Prune Sauce
This was my least favourite course. The risotto cake was dry and I think my prune sauce was missing as I could only taste cashew butter. Also as you can see we had broccoli instead of romanesco. Disappointing.
Sound – Sounds of Chips – Sizzle and Crunch
Sizzling Potato Popping Candy
Crunchy Potato Lolly
This was a wonderful course. We had so much fun with it wondering whether to do as instructed and bite away or tentatively just lick the lolly and savour. The potato popping candy was like the bits at the bottom of a packet of crisps but with a little salty sizzle in your mouth.
Aroma – Aromas of Syrah – Mocha, Spice, Darks Fruits, Smoke
Spiced Mocha Ganace, Grapes, Blackcurrant and Tobacco in a Jam Jar
This was my absolute favourite course. So many things to feel and taste and smell. This jar smelled of a log cabin with a log fire. That wonderful smokey smell you get from the logs and then this hit of chocolatey mousse.
Mulled Syrah Wine over Dry Ice
This was just marvellous. The wine poured into the dry ice created a wonderful aroma of Christmas mulled wine.
Crispy Meringues in Dry Ice
We ended with a poor service of tea. My husband got green tea instead of coffee and I got a cold cup of Earl Grey. But apart from that it was a truly wonderful evening out. Entertaining, unusual food in a lovely buzzy atmosphere. I hope Citroen continue to be this creative with their PR and marketing and also roll this pop up out across the UK so more people can enjoy these wonderful dishes.
Chef Sujan Sarkar and Me
Related articles
- Review by Fuss Free Flavours
- Review of Preview Lunch by Food Urchin
- Citroen DS5 car review (topgear.com)
- Citroën DS5 Hybrid4: more than wonderful (telegraph.co.uk)