MasterChef Live and The Wine Show 2010

If you missed the fun this weekend let us fill you in on the festive delights of MasterChef Live 2010 and The Wine Show.  Judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace  were keeping a beady eye on proceedings at the MasterChef Invention Test and speakers James Martin and Rick Stein were entertaining audiences in the Chefs’ Theatre.  There was even a MasterChef cook-off between past and present MasterChef winners including awards host and actress Lisa Faulkner.

Other highlights included the Christmas Chocolate Masterclasses with Auberge du chocolat, tapas lessons with Campo Viejo, and demonstrations galore including the latest ‘hot tips’ for budding chefs from beginner to advanced levels.  The restaurant experience featured favourites from Blue Elephant and Cafe Spice Namaste to the London Borough Market favourite Roast.  Keynote speaker Theo Randall prepared an exclusive menu for delighted guests including pasta, scallops, and soft chocolate cake, al paired with the favoured wines of the day.  Theo honed his infamous skills for Italian cooking as partner and Head Chef at the Michelin-starred River Cafe.  He went from strength to strength with the opening of his own restaurant at the InterContinental Park Lane hotel in 2006 and his first book ‘Pasta’ will be released this month.

Food was accompanied by some incredible wines at The Wine Show along with the impressive expertise of wine experts Oz Clarke , Tim Atkin, Joe Wadsack, Susy Atkins and Rob Buckhaven.  The Drinks Tasting Theatre was as popular as the intimate wine masterclasses in Coutts private cellar.  The Wine Show is a new addition to MasterChef Live but it is sure to be a mainstay in the future given the popularity of the exhibits – and no doubt the free tastings!

As Christmas approaches we look forward to practising our culinary skills in a Come Dine With Me office spectacular, Theo watch out!