City’s top chefs reveal their culinary secrets

A series of do-it-yourself style infomercials showing the city’s best chefs at work have been launched as part of Birmingham Food Fest, which runs from 13-19 July this year.

visit birmingham foodThe series of films feature a three minute recipe and 30 second cooking tip from ten of Birmingham’s foodie stars, encouraging people to recreate restaurant quality food and drink at home. Step by step guides to signature dishes from Birmingham’s top restaurants are caught on camera with highlights including lamb tandoori masala from celebrity chef Aktar Islam of Lasan Restaurant and Cornish crab and salmon tartare from Adam Bennett, Head Chef at Simpsons Restaurant.

Practical cooking tips are also provided by Michelin star chef Glynn Purnell, who reveals the secrets of seasoning fish, and Opus Restaurant’s David Colcombe, who demonstrates how to properly seal meat, amongst other helpful hints from Birmingham’s best culinary talents.

Emma Gray, Director of Marketing Services at Visit Birmingham, which manages Birmingham Food Fest, said: “Birmingham Food Fest is all about getting people to experience our fantastic restaurant offering, while also inspiring a new generation of food lovers. The city is home to world-class, passionate chefs who are true ambassadors for Birmingham – our reputation for good food and drink continues to tempt visitors from all over the world to sample Birmingham’s culinary creations.

“We’ve teamed up with the city’s best chefs to give people the opportunity to recreate their signature dishes at home with our series of helpful infomercials, which will whet the appetite for this year’s Food Fest.

“The week-long festival features mouth-watering restaurant promotions across the city centre and a programme of hands-on events for food lovers.”

The infomercials, which showcase the city’s diverse talent from Michelin starred chefs to the next generation of rising stars, will be promoted across a range of foodie, lifestyle and social media platforms in the lead up to the gastronomic celebration.  The public will also be encouraged to submit their top cooking tips which will be published on the Food Fest website.

Recipes from the city’s universities are also showcased with University College Birmingham students demonstrating how to whip up the perfect Crêpes Suzette and Venue Birmingham, the University of Birmingham’s catering team, cooking jerk chicken with rice and peas ahead of the Jamaican Track and Field team training at the university’s sporting facilities this summer. The Soul Food Project is also cooking up a Jamaican classic in honour of the Olympic summer with an easy to follow jambalaya dish.

Other infomercials show Ginger’s Bar creating the perfect ‘Tai Mai’, a twist on the classic cocktail, The Jam House preparing a beef dish from its eclectic menu and Indian restaurant Pushkar creating a seafood special.

Top tips include everything from how to create pea stock for risotto and cook the perfect rice to making restaurant quality cocktails at home and learning wine tasting techniques.

For more information or to view the infomercials visit the Birmingham Food Fest website here