The Source
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Westminster Kingsway College is one of the largest further education colleges in central London with a diverse student body of around 14,000 learners.
I was invited to their exclusive fine truffle dinner in The Escoffier Room at La Rustichella, London, to experience the sights and delights of their student chefs.
The menu consisted of a five course taster menu with wine pairings, championing the humble truffle in many guises from the family owned, authentic Italian company La Rusticella Truffles. Courses Included Butternut Squash Soup, Lemon Cream, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds & White Truffle Oil to start, followed by Venison Carpaccio Rolled in Herbs, Black Truffle, Caramelized Truffled Walnuts & Bitter Leaves, then Nori Wrapped Coho Salmon, Sole Truffle Mousse, Salmon Skin Crackling and Aged English Rose Veal Loin Rossini, Winter Vegetables, Sauce Perigueux. The modest truffle embarked on a very exciting journey of self discovery where the student chefs provided an absolute authentic delivery of a versatile and a very special product. The truffle wasn’t predictably overpowering, but warm, sweet, and ultimately sang from the various different plates.
The service was well balanced between an endearing familiarity and professionalism that one would expect from a Michelin starred restaurant. The students were well rehearsed in this simple and sophisticated routine, and all attention to detail within this culinary odyssey, was discreet and very sincere.
One kept having to remind themselves that we were being wined and dined by 17 and 18 year olds who had possibly only been at the college for less than 5 weeks!
The quality, maturity, talent and execution from both the kitchen and front of house was both fascinating and stunning in equal measure. It was an adulterated privilege to be there and I highly recommend both their brasserie and fine dining restaurant for a simple, yet sensational evening.
The authenticity and the importance of food provenance jumped from the menu effortlessly and gracefully, leaving me wanting more. But in a good way. I am in no doubt that this was one of the best meals I have ever had.
The future of British hospitality is in safe hands.
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