Take two outstanding chefs, some of the country's best suppliers - and a huge passion for food, and you've got all the ingredients for a very special dinner indeed. Adam Degg and Tom Shepherd have just launched The Development Kitchen, a series of pop-up dinners, taking over a different restaurant kitchen every month.
So what's the story?
Adam, most recently head pastry chef at The Chiltern Firehouse, first met ex-Sat Bains chef Tom when they both started as commis chefs in the West Midlands - and the idea for a collaboration was first born.
"The concept itself came from us wanting to display our own style of food and cooking, serving the customers ourselves, and giving them the chance to experience a new kind of dining platform." They seized on the idea of taking over a kitchen that would otherwise be closed on a Sunday and Monday night, and serving a tasting menu which they could devise together, showcasing their different styles.
And the food?
Both chefs say they've relished the chance to work on different skills: from the snacks - like delicate Maldon oysters with compressed cucumber and pickled samphire, a main of brill with roasted cauflower puree, coco beans and mussels, and a series of three desserts, all beautifully presented and composed. "I think Tom was impressed with my fish prepping skills", Adam says. "And it's nice to show everyone I can still keep up with proper chefs in the kitchen. Tom had just as much input with the desserts as I did with the snacks, starters and mains." And to drink, there'll be selected craft beers, new age wines, curated cocktails and house-made kombucha.
Sounds great - how do we book?
The Development Kitchen's next event will be at The Frog, E1 on Sunday 14th and Monday 15th May, with sittings from 6pm. Tickets and more details, including sample menu, are available on their website.
