Last year's inaugural Soho Food Feast was a standout success, bringing together chefs and restaurants from London's most vibrant food quartier (despite what Aldo Zilli thinks) to raise funds for the area's state primary school.
This year the event, which is co-created by Fergus Henderson's wife Margot Henderson (who runs Rochelle Canteen), is back and better than ever. "It'll all be delicious," she enthuses. "We have lots of gorgeous chefs and we've got a few people doing demonstrations. It's a good place to try a lot of restaurants in an afternoon - it's like a village fete."
The roll call of names involved is pretty amazing - Jeremy Lee of Quo Vadis; Fergus Henderson of St John Hotel; Mark Hix of Hix; Byron Hamburgers; Tom Oldroyd of Polpo, Robin Hancock of Wright Brothers, MeatWagon, Duck Soup, Arbutus, Barrafina, Koya, Terroirs and The Groucho are all taking part, while Soho legends The French House are signed up to run the bar. other participants include Trullo, Kopapa, Cinnamon Soho, Dean St Townhouse and 10 Greek Street.
Hot Dinners persuaded Margot to give us a few details on what's going to be happening on the day. So we can tell you that Ben Tish of Salt Yard will be giving a demonstration, as will Margot and Fergus themselves, who will be cooking pizzoccheri and steamed mussels. Jacob Kenedy of Bocca di Lupo will also be giving a demonstration. Salt Yard will be preparing milk fed lamb ribs at their stand, to be served with with two sauces - picada and sabixada. And Wright Brothers will be serving their signature oysters at their stand, as well as mini crab rolls not usually available at their restaurants.
The 2012 Soho Food Feast will take place in St Anne’s Church Garden, Wardour Street on Saturday 26th May from 12pm to 5pm. You can buy tickets in advance from the Soho Parish Primary School for £4.00, online for £6.50 from http://sohofoodfeast2012.eventbrite.com/ or for £10 on the day, depending on availability.
