Category: News

Michelin to launch ‘digital-only’ 2021 Guide in January

By James McAllister
08-Sep-2020 – Last updated on 08-Sep-2020 at 09:04 GMT

The 2021 Michelin star revelation ceremony will be held next year on January 25, rather than next month as originally planned.

All the new Michelin stars will be unveiled at the event at The Dorchester Hotel in London, which will be designed to highlight the resilience, quality and potential of the industry across the UK and Ireland.

The event will also mark the launch of the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2021.

Michelin says the decision to move the publication and launch from the usual October date will not only allow time for the hospitality industry to get back on its feet, but will also allow it more time to prepare ‘a full and comprehensive guide’ for its readers.

The ‘digital-only publication’ will ‘take into account industry recovery from Covid-19’ and ‘offer users more modern and engaging resources’ via the Michelin app and online.

“Our inspectors are eating out and supporting the industry across Great Britain and Ireland,” says Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides.

“Moving the event to January and launching a digital-only guide gives us the time we need to be fair to restaurateurs and to ensure the consistent, expert advice our customers demand.

“Restaurants have been through challenges we previously couldn’t even have imagined – and I want to applaud chefs and owners for the passion, ingenuity and entrepreneurship they have shown this year.”

Michelin had originally planned​​ to invite members of the public to its star revelation event for the first time this year at an event that had been due to take place at London’s Camden Roundhouse on 19 October 2020.

While full details will not be available until closer to the event date, Michelin has suggested that the 2021 revelation ceremony will be accessible both in person and digitally

This article was originally published in Big Hospitality.

Castilian Roasted Suckling Pig

A millenary speciality roasted in a wood-fired oven.
By Luis Soto Villalta.

History

Thinking about pig breeding was common in the Iberian culture, it is also logical to think that Iberian people could have roasted suckling pig in the pre-Roman era. However, the oldest graphic sources are from Latin origin. In fact, the suckling pig appears as a gourmet speciality in Roman pictures.

This all suggests that roasted suckling pig began to spread among the Iberian-Roman people between the 1st and 5th centuries AD.

During the Muslim occupation between the 8th and 15th centuries, its popularity declined over the majority of the Iberian Peninsula but not over the Norther Christian Kingdoms.

Some centuries later, it was in “Casa Cándido” in Segovia when the fame of the Castilian roast suckling pig spread throughout Spain and then to the rest of the world because the tourist boom of the 60s. Cándido started his business in 1930, although the inn had been operated since 1860.

Another internationally famous restaurant whose speciality is roast suckling pig is “Casa Botín”, in Madrid. Founded in the 17th century, its wood-burning oven has never been turned off since then, remaining 365 days a year ready to roast.

How to Prepare

Ingredients for 6-8 servings:

• 1 suckling pig 4,5 to 5 kg. 
• 1 ½ litre water. 
• 2 tablespoons coarse salt. 
• About 150 ml pork lard. 

Preparing the oven:

You can use any wood-burning oven for pizzas or roasts. 

Use pine or birch wood for lighting because they burn faster. Once lit, use oak or holm oak wood because they are harder and more aromatic, they burn more slowly. 

The interior of the oven must be at 225°C because when we introduce the piglet the temperature drops to 200°C. If it is not a big oven, heat it up 4-5 hours before roasting the suckling pig. If it is a big oven, heat it up the night before. 

You must leave enough embers to roast the suckling pig for two hours. Do not introduce firewood during the roasting. It is better to leave extra embers so that there is no lack of heat. In this case, the suckling pig can be covered with aluminium foil to prevent it from becoming over-roasted. 

Roasting the suckling pig:

It must be clean and empty, open at the belly halfway, from the head to the end of the spine. It does not have to be completely split, but open like a book. 

Place it on a baking tray if it is possible in a clay one. Must be with the ribs facing upwards with a few slats underneath so that the crust does not stick to the tray. Salt it with coarse salt and put a litre of water on the tray and half litre between the ribs. 

Place the tray about 30 centimetres away from the embers. 

Roast the piglet for one hour, sprinkling with the roasting liquid. 

After one hour, turn it over and prick it with a fork to release the water it has absorbed under the crust. 

Brush with the pork lard. 

Wrap the ears and tail with aluminium foil and put the piglet back into the oven. 

Roast for about one more hour, until the crust is golden and crunchy. 

Serving:

Take the baking tray out of the oven and cut the suckling pig with the edge of a flat plate with quick hits. Cut and serve portions of about 600 to 800 gr. 

It can be served with salad or potatoes to your choice. 

About the Author

My mother and grandfather introduced me to professional cooking. As people say in Spain: I learned to cook from the bottom of my mother’s skirt. The tradition in the family comes from my grandfather when he founded the first restaurant of the family in 1916. I have later studied both professional cooking and hotel management. I focused my career on kitchen and accommodation management, especially in the rural environment and the wilderness.

Luis Soto Villalta
https://desoto.eu

Alshaya Group join forces with WEF to support a sustainable future across MENA

Through its membership of the World Economic Forum’s Regional Action Group for the Middle East and North Africa (RAG MENA), Alshaya Group this week (14th September 2020) joined a group of government, business and civil society leaders from across the region to endorse the Principles of Stakeholder Capitalism for the Middle East and North Africa which are designed to inform an inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery for the region.

The full text of the WEF news release can be found here.

The seven principles outlined in the WEF announcement are:

1. Crafting inclusive economic policies and a new social contract
2. Stimulating economic integration
3. Reshaping education systems
4. Harnessing the Fourth Industrial Revolution
5. Promoting environmental sustainability
6. Mitigating global health risks
7. Committing to good and agile governance

Commenting , Mohammed Alshaya, Executive Chairman of Alshaya Group said: “The Alshaya Group is very proud to be a signatory of the seven ‘Principles of Stakeholder Capitalism’ that can guide the MENA region as we respond collectively to new challenges in a new era. As regional leaders we share a common responsibility to help shape a dynamic, inclusive, sustainable and prosperous future that benefits society as a whole.”

WEF announced the initiative on Monday 14th September 2020.

This article was originally published here. Learn more about Alshaya Group, visit www.alshaya.com/en.

Why Upfield Launched Its A Better Plant-Based Future Campaign

We catch up with Dr Jeanette Fielding, Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer at Upfield, to discover the motivation behind its new A Better Plant-Based Future campaign

What was the trigger for launching A Better Plant-Based Future?

At Upfield, we’re on a mission to a Better Plant-Based Future. Transformation of the food system is vital.

The current food system, which relies heavily on mass meat and dairy farming for consumption, is not sustainable. People around the world are beginning to make more informed decisions about the foods they are putting into their body, decreasing their meat and dairy intake, and embracing plant-based foods for health, sustainability and ethical reasons.

As the world’s largest plant-based nutrition company, we have a part to play by offering consumers a range of plant-based foods, including our iconic plant-based butter, margarines, plant-based spreads and vegan cheeses.

But it’s not a mission we’re driving alone.

As well as offering consumers great plant-based alternatives to dairy, A Better Plant Based Future docu-series was our way of giving a platform to four (for now) inspirational pioneers who are championing a plant-based diet and who are showing daily why it is so important to contribute to a healthier, more environmentally sustainable world for all.

Can you explain the campaign in a nutshell?

A Better Plant-Based Future is about challenging people to embark on their own individual healthy, sustainable eating journeys and reduce the environmental impact of their dietary habits.

We wanted to encourage people to try going plant-based for a day so that they could see how accessible, affordable and familiar it can be through making simple plant-based swaps for meat and dairy products.

Our mini docu-series showcases four plant-based pioneers; in the UK, the founder of the vegan Green Gazelles Rugby team and The Vegan Nigerian – a chef who runs plant-based cooking workshops on Nigerian traditional dishes.

In the US, a vegan butcher brother and sister duo in Minneapolis who are making vegan equivalents of the foods we love to eat, and a soul food vegan chef in Compton, LA.

They all share a common vision of making plant-based diets accessible, without making compromises on taste or tradition.

Every dietary change is valuable, and people can start anywhere. We are fans of simple swaps, whether that’s switching out dairy butter for a plant-based butter or margarine like Flora or Flora Plant when baking a cake, or using Violife vegan cheese to sprinkle over pasta.

Brendon, founder of the vegan Green Gazelles Rugby team © Upfield

You haven’t always been a plant-focused company – when and why did you decide to make the transition? 

Our company has been a leader in plant-based spreads from the very beginning.

In recent years, we have focused on developing our plant-based margarines, butters, creams and vegan cheeses with an emphasis on great taste, allowing consumers to make ethical, healthy and sustainable food choices. Our focus is also to do this with natural ingredients.

Although we have always relied on plants for our products, our formation as a new company two years ago gave us the opportunity to drive a better plant-based future as our raison d’être, updating our product portfolio and advocacy to champion plant-based innovation.

What kind of response did you get when Flora turned into a fully plant-based brand?

When we decided to relaunch Flora as 100% plant-based, we knew that we would find a welcome audience in the ever-growing consumer base in the UK who identify as vegan. However, we also wanted to support caterers in facing the challenge of removing concerns around allergens in the kitchen.

We trialled the new range with Alexis Gauthier, chef patron of Michelin-starred London restaurant Gauthier Soho, and we were overjoyed with the warm response from classically trained French chefs who were just as delighted by our new product as we were.

What role do you think that larger companies can play in nurturing and supporting smaller vegan businesses? How do the two live alongside each other well?

Collaboration between the growing network of plant-focused and vegan businesses is ultimately to the benefit of all.

We are inspired by the work that small businesses and plant-based entrepreneurs are doing, and the docu-series we produced for A Better Plant Based Future celebrates this. We are privileged to be able to give this platform to people who are doing amazing things in this space.

Ultimately, we’re all part of the same ecosystem – the plant-based movement as a whole. We have shared goals around health and sustainability, and we all have a part to play in encouraging consumers to opt for more sustainable and healthy products by reducing their meat and dairy intake.

Lemel, a soul food vegan chef in Compton, LA, is an ambassador for A Better Plant-Based Future. © Upfield

What actions are Upfield taking to ensure its products are more sustainable?

As a sustainable business, we need to monitor, understand, and correctly communicate the impact of the foods we produce. That is why we work with Quantis, an international sustainability consultancy specialising in environmental measurement. They conducted Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for many our products, so we can track the carbon emissions, land use and water use connected with our products.

Based on a large scale LCA, assessing our plant-based margarines across 21 European and North American markets, Quantis concluded that our products have a 70% lower carbon impact, use only half of the water and require two-thirds less land than dairy butter.

What would be your advice on the first steps a company should take if they are looking to become more sustainable?

To be a sustainable food company, you must first be aware of the environmental impacts of your entire supply chain.

Knowing how the ingredients you use affect the environment, the climate and local communities can help to direct procurement decisions and improve sustainability goals.

Viewing a company’s operations through the framework of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is a useful way to see where you already operate sustainably, and where you need to improve.

What else can we expect to see from A Better Plant-Based Future?

The campaign launch is only the beginning. We are hoping to inspire a global movement of people who are making better informed food choices.

Our goal is to show that healthy and sustainable diets can be accessible and enjoyable to all and plant-based foods such as plant butter, margarines, creams and cheeses have a great role to play in that.

We will continue to find innovative ways to demonstrate this, break down misconceptions, and drive positive change in the health of our consumers and for the sustainability of our planet.

At Upfield we’re consistently innovating, leading by example, and driving change. We are proud to be a company that is committed to a more sustainable and healthier future for all of us.

This article was originally published in Vegan Food & Living. You can learn more about the author below.

For more information on Upfield and their A Better Plant-Based Future campaign, visit www.abetterplantbasedfuture.com/en.

About Jeanette Fielding

Jeanette is the Chief Corporate Affairs & Communications Officer at Upfield.

Jeanette holds a PhD in Nutrition and Food Science, a Masters in Human Nutrition, a Bachelor of Biological Science and Graduate Diploma in Business Administration.

Jeanette joined Upfield after twenty years at some of the world’s largest consumer products and healthcare companies. She has a reputation for building corporate reputation, managing reputational risks, building stakeholder relationships, and developing strategy and policies for the most critical issues facing business.

Stay Hungry!

The tiger symbolises strength, dynamism and passion. Characteristics that are called for day in day out in the kitchen. The eagerly anticipated reopening of restaurants has so far only experienced a small, cautious upward trend. That’s why it is all the more important at the moment to continue to nurture and maintain the passion for cooking.

Friedr. Dick would like to embody this with the limited special edition of the forged Santoku knife from the Premier Plus series, featuring the expressive tiger motif and the slogan “STAY HUNGRY” on the blade. Amongst other things, the tiger also stands for determination and organisational talent, which are also two qualities that have to be present in a kitchen, whether in a commercial setting or at home. Passion, resilience and discipline are required when you train to become a chef and these qualities are fulfilled not only by a tiger but also by the forged Santoku knife. The Santoku knife, originating in Asia, stands for 3 virtues, which represent excellent, versatile properties when cutting meat, fish and vegetables.

The tremendous power of the tiger to overcome this unprecedented crisis should at least be symbolised in the special edition from Friedr. Dick.

Forged from a piece of steel, perfectly balanced and with a high-quality coating on the blade as well as a unique marking – the perfect tool for creativity and inspiration when cooking. A special reinforced ceramic hybrid coating is applied to the knife blades. This antibacterial non-stick coating reduces cuttings from sticking and allows easy cleaning. In addition, ceramic particles ensure the best sliding properties with reduced force and high wear resistance.

The special edition, limited to 500 pieces, will be available from specialist dealers from October 2020.

Friedr. Dick is the only manufacturer worldwide who offers a complete range of knives, sharpening steels, ancillary items for chefs and butchers as well as grinding machines, sharpening machines and knife cleaning devices. The long-standing tradition and experience of manufacturing products for chefs and butchers allow a continuous development of innovative products. Input from customers, especially end-users and our own ideas are converted into high-quality products.

Further information is available from:

• Friedr. Dick GmbH & Co. KG
• Esslinger Str. 4-10
• 73779 Deizisau
• Germany
• Tel.: +49 7153 817 – 0
• Fax: +49 7153 817 – 219
• Email: mail@dick.de
• Website: www.dick.de  
• www.facebook.com/Friedr.Dick
• www.instagram.com/f.dick_official

Andalusian “Espeto”

The art of vertical wood-fired grilling
By Luis Soto Villalta.

History

The oldest spit-grilled fish images are in some Egyptian burial chambers. This type of grilling possible was also done in other ancient Mediterranean civilizations. Typical Turkish and Greek vertical roasts as gyros and kebab are proof of this.

The espetos tradition in southern Spain dates to the Muslim era when Muslims brought this type of grilling from the Near East. The cause was the Islam spread and the invasion of the Iberian Peninsula.

This grilling method passed from home cooking to professional cooking in the 19th century. It was by the hand of Miguel Martínez Soler when in 1882 he opened his famous bar on the beach: “La gran parada ”. It would be the first beach bar “chiringuito” in the Costa del Sol. Miguel was who started to spike sardines on a piece of cane sinking it on the sand next to the fire. The fame of his espetos spread quickly and on January 21st, 1885, the King of Spain Alfonso XII visited the bar. On Miguel’s advice, he ate sardines with his hands, without knife and fork.

Nowadays, people grill in espetos other species of fish as well as squid and cuttlefish.

How to Prepare a Traditional “Espeto” with Sardines

Preparing the cane:

You must cut one 2.5 to 3 cm diameter cane that is still green into segments of 35 to 50 cm long.

Divide the cane lengthwise into two halves.

Then cut ends of each cane in the shape of a spear tip.

Finally, reduce about 20 cm of cane at the opposite end, which is sunk into the sand, from 2.5 cm to 1.5 cm diameter.

Spiking the sardines:

Season the sardines with coarse salt a couple of hours before roasting.

Thread sardines in a row, all in the same head-to-tail direction to make the grilling uniform.

Cross each sardine from back to belly in half its length. The cane rounded outside must run along the sardine spine and be perpendicular to it.

The sardines must have their back down and their belly up.

Thread the thicker sardine at the bottom of the espeto and the thinner one at the top. When you sink in the sand first, the cane rounded outside faces the fire.

Grilling the espetos:

The olive tree is the best firewood for the espeto. This is because of its resistance, heat power and plenty in Andalusia. The oak wood could be used in other countries where there are not olive trees.

Light the fire and wait until the wood becomes embers.

Once you have threaded the sardines, sink the espetos into a small mound of sand. 20- 25 cm from the fire, a little inclined in the direction of the breeze.

The espetos must receive the heat and not the smoke. The flame must never meet the fish.

Grilling ends after 10-12 minutes facing the fire. 5-6 minutes every side.

Serving:

Remove the espetos from the sand and placed on a dish. You must hold each espeto

with one hand and disengages the sardines with the other hand by a slight twist. Serve with some bread and sliced lemon. You can also serve with lettuce. The eatable weight of a sardine in espeto is half of its raw weight.

About the Author

My mother and grandfather introduced me to professional cooking. As people say in Spain: I learned to cook from the bottom of my mother’s skirt. The tradition in the family comes from my grandfather when he founded the first restaurant of the family in 1916. I have later studied both professional cooking and hotel management. I focused my career on kitchen and accommodation management, especially in the rural environment and the wilderness.

Luis Soto Villalta
https://desoto.eu

Feature photo: Espetos in Málaga, Costa del Sol, Spain.

Singapore Chefs’ Association Wins Bid to host Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2024

The highly anticipated international event will welcome professional chefs from over 100 countries

SINGAPORE August 31, 2020 –  The Singapore Chefs’ Association is proud to announce Singapore is the official country to host the Worldchefs Congress & Expo 2024.

The bi-annual international event for professional chefs will bring together over 1000 delegates and professionals from across the five continents to network and expand their professional bonds. The unique program delivers presentations and workshops from leading experts in the industry, impactful educational programs including the Worldchefs Educators’ Forum, specialised events designed to uplift the next generation of chefs such as the Bill Gallagher Young Chefs Forum, the Global Chefs Challenge culinary competition, an international trade exhibition, and diverse activities to enhance both personal and professional networks.

Since 1928, Worldchefs Congress & Expo has united a global community of chefs and cross-industry innovators to explore the past, present, and future of the culinary trade. The biennial event is a hallmark tradition of Worldchefs with an institutional, cultural and economic interest. It has been organised in 38 cities around the world throughout its illustrious 90-year history.

In the finals, Singapore beat Wales to secure the bid with 40 votes (against 36 votes).

Says Chef Eric Neo, President of the Singapore Chefs’ Association, “This is a milestone for the Singapore Chefs’ Association and credit goes to the Singapore Congress Bid Committee who relentlessly pursued excellence and the support of the Singapore Tourism Board. Singapore was the first country in Asia to host the Worldchefs Congress in 1990 and it made history. Since then, Singapore has changed so much, especially in the world of food & beverage. We believe we have a lot to offer the world of chefs with our culinary scene and heritage, and we cannot wait to show them what we have.