Total Food Geeks Glasgow

Glasgow Coat of Arms

This post is a little different from my usual baking-related posts, but I had to share my thoughts on the first ever meeting of Total Food Geeks Glasgow.

A few months ago Graeme, of A Scots Larder, got in touch to let me know he was thinking of setting up a Glasgow branch of  Total Food Geeks.
The aim is to bring together a collective of online reviewers, bloggers, chefs and suppliers with a shared love of food.
In the same way that I was inspired by the Edinburgh Cake Ladies to start the Glasgow Baking Club, Graeme was inspired by a group of Edinburgh-based Total Food Geeks to start a Glasgow branch.
In the words of the Glasgow Coat of Arms… Let Glasgow Flourish!

So last night a group of us met in The Arches Cafe Bar & Restaurant in Glasgow, and dined from a menu, specially prepared by The Arches’ Head Chef Robbie McGuinness.

Robbie had put together a fabulous menu for us to choose from…

Starters

Coconut & Carrot Soup with Chilli Oil

Scottish Smoked Halibut with Scottish Asparagus, Caper Popcorn & Smoked Oil Emulsion

Rabbit & Ham Hough Battenberg with Sage Crisps and a Cider & Honey Jelly

Main Courses

Cairnhill Farm Roasted Chump of Lamb served with Pistachio Dauphinoise, Confit Shallots and Baby Turnips with a Bitter & Twisted Jus Ale

Pan-Seared Mackerel Fillet with Glazed Beetroots, Cauliflower & Horseradish Mousse, Seaweed and Spring Onion & Rapeseed Dressing

Pea & Broccoli Ravioli with Deep Fried Leeks, Saffron Cream and Salted Goats’ Curd

Desserts

Chocolate Nemesis with Salted Caramel Mousse and a Bee Pollen Chocolate Shard

A Selection of Scottish Cheeses

Blueberry Frangipani Tartlet with Blueberry Ice-cream and Blueberry Balsamic

With such a choice it was a difficult decision, but I decided on the Coconut & Carrot Soup to start (this was my choice of starter at my own Wedding Reception), and it certainly did not disappoint.

Coconut & Carrot Soup with Chilli Oil

For main course I had the Ravioli. It was a tough choice between the lamb and the ravioli for me, but I thought the ravioli sounded delightfully fresh, which it certainly was!

Pea & Broccoli Ravioli with Deep Fried Leeks, Saffron Cream and Salted Goats’ Curd

For me the show-stopper was my choice of dessert… Chocolate Nemesis! Wow!
This was Chocolate Heaven! The slice of cake was beautifully fudgey and rich and moist, and the salted caramel mousse was a taste sensation.
Next time Robbie, a bigger slice please… ;0)

Chocolate Nemesis with Salted Caramel Mousse and a Bee Pollen Chocolate Shard

This was a beautifully put together meal, and I whole-heartedly encourage you to visit The Arches Cafe Bar & Restaurant to try out Chef Robbie’s cuisine!
Also, I have to mention how great the waiting staff were.

As well as enjoying a night of beautiful food, I have to mention the lovely group of people who made up this first meeting.

It was great to meet fellow bloggers Briony & Graeme of The Glasgow Food Blog, the lovely Jen of Pie In Soup, and Emma & Mark of Food & Drink Glasgow.

Fellow baking fanatic Barry and I had lots of baking chat to discuss, and a shared love of Isa from Still Game ;0)

I look forward to visiting  Fromager Tanny Gill, and his assistant Simone, at Partick or Queen’s Park Farmers Market in Glasgow, or Stockbridge Market in Edinburgh…

Huge Thanks to Graeme of A Scots Larder for bringing us all together… Look forward to the next one!

Why not follow my fellow Food Geeks on Twitter…

@bakerboybaz
@cheesescotland
@chefski27
@glasgow_food
@glasgowfoodie
@samuraijen
@scotslarder

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