My Big Adventure

Like any food obsessed person I spend more time than probably appropriate watching food related shows on telly and drooling over the creations, equipment and general fabulousness of the world of television food. I used to cook in my kitchen as a child speaking aloud to no one in particular, explaining step-by-step directions of my masterpieces. Yes, I used to pretend I was on telly as a child...and looking back it's a bit embarrassing - but at the time? I was the star of my own show.

Here’s a belated story about my food television debut:

When I came back to the UK after a hiatus last January and Market Kitchen had an announcement about needing audience members I sent an email with my 'food story' off and waited for my moment to shine.  Almost 12 months later (an admittedly forgetting I had sent that email all those months ago) I received an email asking me to be part of the Market Kitchen Christmas Adventure.  To say I was excited would be an understatement...starting A taste of...and being on a food show all in the span of 7 days? Amazing! So I convinced my darling husband to come along and crossed my fingers there would be some fabulous food created on the show (which was inevitable really).

We showed up in the morning (me bursting with excitement, the hubs? Starting to get hungry) and waited to go up to the sound stage.  Everyone there was so lovely – constantly checking in and offering hot drinks and snacks…such a hospitable bunch!

Then the moment came, and we were taken upstairs to the set of the show I had spent so many hours watching at home was in front of me in real life.  People bustling around, talking into headsets and the smell of food (more specifically pancetta) took over and I grabbed a seat and prepared to watch the magic!

Matt Trebett and Aldo Zilli were the Chefs of the day, with the location being Edinburgh.  Matt kicked things off with a delicious brussel sprout and pancetta side (cream, white wine and thinly shaved brussels) recipe here.  I do something quite similar to this with savoy cabbage, but being a lover of the brussel sprout I am excited about trying this version! Where Aldo decided to do a roast goose which was absolutely gorgeous and super helpful as in a short time I’d be cooking my very first one for my very first Christmas with my in-laws.

We got to sample a Clootie dumpling as well – a traditional steamed pudding from Edinburgh – which looks like it could sink a small ship, but in actual fact is really light and airy.

We drank lots of bubbles and ate fabulous food.  All in all? A great day.

Thanks you Market Kitchen Big Adventure for making my television dreams come true!

ax