Some Very Lively MasterChefs
It’s the first day of MasterChef Live 2011 show at London’s Olympia exhibition hall in beautiful Kensington. The atmosphere is prickling with excitement as a plethora of winners, finalists and noted contestants of various series of BBC’s oh-so-successful cookery series MasterChef are eagerly awaited by members of the public. MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals are all represented. Looking around the Grand Hall is like reading programme notes in The Radio Times primetime lineup: Tim Anderson, Andy Peters and Nick Pickard are on stage at The MasterChef Live Challenge; Sara Danesin, MasterChef: The Professionals 2010 winner Claire Lara and Jackie Kearney stop by the UK Thermomix stand to chat about cooking with Thermomix; James Perry aka The Tattooed Cook drops by and tells us of using Thermomix at Paris House Restaurant in Woburn. Oh, but wait, “there they are at last,” gasps the audience: John Torode and Greg Wallace have women running after them for autographs or hanging off their arms as they stroll through the exhibition hall, accompanied by a security guard. Has food itself achieved such celebrity status?
MasterChef Live is true foodie heaven. There is food everywhere, and plenty of it. Colours and smells abound, with stands vying for visitors’ attention by putting their best foot forward in terms of attractive design. For me, the loveliest stands are those with real food on them, bright colours, tastes and smells enticing me to inspect their offerings. Today I have only had time to investigate some of the ground floor food stands but I have spotted some delightful deliciousness!
MasterChef Live
Olympia’s Grand Hall, London
11-13 November 2011
Opening Times
Friday 11 November 9.30am – 7pm
Saturday 12 November 9.30am – 7pm
Sunday 13 November 9.30am – 5:30pm
Madame Thermomix’s Top Picks @ MasterChef Live 2011
Snowdonia Cheese Company
Stand E40
Premium Cheese for every occasion
http://www.snowdoniacheese.co.uk/
Mr Todiwala’s
The happy home of splendidly spicy and deliciously hot pickles and chutneys and flavoursome cooking sauces
Stand FLF10
http://mrtodiwala.com/
Burtree Puddings
Award-Winning Christmas puddings and more
Stand FLF4
http://www.burtreehousefarm.co.uk/
Andreas fine fruit and vegetables
High quality greengrocer in Chiswick
Stand F24
http://www.andreasveg.co.uk/
Crabbies Ginger Beer
The spiffingest alcoholic ginger beer
Stand G54
http://www.crabbiesgingerbeer.co.uk/
Skylark Trading Ltd.
Importers and distributors of Gourmet Foods
Stand E30
http://www.skylarktrading.com/
Med Foods
High-quality Mediterranean food
Stand D55
http://www.medfood.co.uk/
The Chocolate Fondue Company
Chocolate Fountains and hot chocolate
Stand G60
http://www.chocolatefonduecompany.co.uk/
The Well Hung Meat Company
Award-Winning Organic Meat
Stand FLF20
http://www.wellhungmeat.com/
Belvoir Fruit Farms
Naturally delicious drinks
Stand C54
http://www.belvoirfruitfarm.co.uk/
The Garlic Farm
Quality British Garlic
Stand FLF14
http://www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk/
The Cornish Cheese Company
Award-winning, delicious farmhouse blue cheese
Stand FLF24
http://www.cornishcheese.co.uk/
Wyke Farms Ltd
Fine farmhouse cheddar
Stand F20
http://www.wykefarms.com/
Not exhibiting but dashingly good…
The Hampshire Jam & Chutney Company
Bringing the best of nature to the table
http://www.hampshirejam.com/
Bon appétit!
Thanks so much for your comments. Believe me, it is my pleasure to talk about Mr. Todiwala’s splendidly spicy chutneys & relishes! I’ve now got a jar of minted mango & ginger relish in my fridge which I gleefully spread on toast, add to sauces and use to accompany the curries I make in my Thermomix. There are another 3 or 4 jars of Mr. Todiwala’s in the cupboard awaiting their chance to spice up my life!
Cyrus Todiwala is a great chef, great friend & great supporter of Thermomix – I think I counted 5 Thermomixes the last time I was at Café Spice Namasté! Go to http://www.pipedreamrestaurant.co.UK to book a place at Cyrus’ charity dinner on 22nd November!
Thanks so much for featuring Mr Todiwala’s in your lively blog! We had a terrific time at MasterChef Live and were so pleased that people like yourself came around to support and taste our pickles and chutneys. We do love our pretty pink pots! So many sold out quickly…see you at Taste of Christmas?
Warmest wishes and thanks!
Thanks for such a lovely comment, Leslie! I am very lucky & I do feel very much in my element. I just hope I can do justice to all the wonderful people, wonderful food and wonderful Thermomix!
Cheers, old friend!
Jane, you look so thoroughly in your element and happy! So thrilled for you that you are able to be such an integral part of all of this! A tad bit jealous you are so close to so much deliciousness!!!!
Yes Jo, lots of fun on the sidelines but always very serious
Oooh, that looks like a lot of fun!!