Christmas Eve 2021
It is the biggest event in the pop-up calendar. This year I decided to make it an invitation only event by inviting those who supported pop-up during our covid times, in effect, a thank you. I kept the numbers low this year, for our comfort and safety. This did not mean we held back on food, fun and celebrations. Traditionally there are canapés to begin our evening. Sometime over the evening we do our 4 traditional Christmas songs. - Rockin' Robin (I defy anyone who says it's not a Christmas song (and if it isn't, well I made it one)). We used to do 12 days of Christmas but changed that to 'Jingle Bells' this year, followed by 'All I want for Christmas' and 'Last Christmas'.
Each guest had a small gift with a rum and raisin chocolate truffle at their placing. Standing proud in their water glasses was a balloon which contained a dreadful joke, a bell (for our songs) and a number for the 'dirty Santa' game. It requires everyone to bring a gift (usually something bizarre) and choose one randomly without knowing the contents. Guests that follow after can steal the gift. We had a few thefts, a few who loved their choices and some who left them behind (presumably because they didn't).
I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to see in Christmas with the group we had.
SECRET SANTA MENU – 24 DECEMBER 2021
Canapes
Brie with apricot chutney
Pork Dutch sausage with mustard honey & pickled kumquart
Sausage rolls with ketchup
Truffle cheese with pickled mayonnaise & dried cranberry
CHOICE OF FIRST STARTER
Salmon gravlax with mustard & dill mayonnaise, spinach leaves, pickled radish,
served with sourdough toast and miso butter
Or
Beef carpaccio with gorgonzola & walnuts, spinach leaves in balsamic,
served with sourdough toast and miso butter
2ND STARTER
Polish Borscht with porcini mushroom dumplings
MAIN COURSE
Roulade of sous vide chicken breast with sloe gin sauce, crisp chicken skin
on a bed of tarragon & chive potato puree
served with
Oxtail bonbon
Fondant potato
Dry roast brussels sprouts
Spiced (coriander & cumin) roast carrots with tahin & strained yoghurt
DESSERT
Apple pie crumble with bourbon ice-cream
Chocolate & almond slice with swiss meringue