Notes from a Devon Kitchen

Nello's Longest Table

Michael and Bella dish out the crab and prawn risotto

Topsham, Devon June 15th, 2008 The foods that people everywhere had brought, prepared, cooked and were enjoying for Nello’s Longest Table were absolutely amazing! Some had elaborate picnics. Others had set up burners to cook paella and other such foods, or barbeques to grill meats and fish. I would love to know all the menus! Please email marc@topshamfoodfestival.org.uk with your menus and I will post them on the Topsham Food Festival web site.

For the record, here is what we enjoyed:

Antipasto

Sgombro ‘in saor’
Local mackerel fillets caught the same day by Dave Kerley, cooked in the wood-fired oven, then marinaded ‘Venetian style’ in vinegar, raisins, and onions (a dish in homage to Nello)

First courses

Tajarin al ragù
A taste of Le Langhe, cooked by Luisa Fontana and her mother Grazia, fine tajarin noodles with a wonderfully rich meat ragù

Crab and prawn risotto with sunblushed tomatoes and mascarpone
A stunning Michael Caines creation, cooked with the assistance of Bella Millon

Main course

Pork in Brimblecombe cider, apples and fennel
A couple of beautiful pork sparerib joints prepared by Tony at Arthur’s, slow-roasted all day on a bed of apples and fennel, with Brimblecombe cider

Fresh local broad beans with bacon
Prepared by Guy and Claire before their early return to Nottingham

Desserts

Luisa demonstrates how to make bunet at the Festival workshops

Bunet
Traditional chocolate pudding from Le Langhe, made by Luisa Fontana

Strawberry cheesecake tart; raspberry and dark rum trifle; raspberry and peach pavlova
A trio of puddings made by Alissa Delbarre

Wines

MC Champagne
René Geoffroy Cuvée Empreinte Champagne
Cascina Fontana Barbera d’Alba 2005 (etichetta speciale “Nello’s”)

L'amicizia

Related links

Our report about Nello's Longest Table

Our report on the Topsham Food Festival

Ray Girvan has done a brilliant YouTube with a series of pics that show the whole length of Nello's Longest Table from start to end with music by Spinach for Norman.

A report in the Exeter Express & Echo.

Some excellent photos of the Topsham Food Festival and Nello's Longest Table in the Express & Echo.

A report and photographs in the Exmouth Journal

For the full Topsham Food Festival program, visit www.topshamfoodfestival.org.uk

For further information contact Liz Hodges at The Globe on (01392) 873471, Marc Millon on (01392) 873778, or email info@topshamfoodfestival.org.uk

email marc@quaypress.com