Monday, November 2, 2015

Dining With a Food-Styling, Cookbook-Writing, MasterChef Contestant: Rukmini Iyer's "Pomegranate" Supper Club


On Saturday, my friend Rukmini Iyer held a supper club in her London flat and it was amazing. It was like being at a dinner party, except that we didn't know anyone else in the room (which made for some great table conversation) and the hostess was also a professional food stylist and MasterChef contestant!

I've always been a little reticent about attending supper clubs, where a group of people (who usually don't know each other) meet at the home of or a space rented by a chef who cooks a multi-course meal for the evening. Despite being a blogger, I'm pretty awkward and antisocial. I inwardly cringe every time I have to introduce myself to someone new and I'm awful at making small talk. Typically, supper club menus have a theme (in Mini's case, it was the beguiling and exotic pomegranate) and the idea is that a group of strangers can sit, eat, and relax in an informal setting whilst enjoying food that's been prepared by an expert chef.

Mini's menu was nothing short of impressive: after graciously greeting her guests, encouraging us to admire the view of the O2 arena from her balcony, and handing us a delicious cocktail to enjoy, she coolly disappeared into her kitchen with her assistant (and partner!) Ken to whip up the first of five courses. Five. I'd set fire to my house, if not my hair, if I attempted that!

Here were some of the highlights:


After licking our fingers from a delicious appetizer of harissa prawn lollipops with a pink peppercorn and yoghurt dip plus warm flatbread filled with minced spiced lamb, we were treated to this beautiful salad of romanesco broccoli, woodchip-smoked cauliflower with tender cous cous and pomegranate seeds. The lovely, intense flavor from the smoked cauliflower worked beautifully well with the little sweet bursts of pomegranate seeds and for once, the cous cous was almost like a garnish for the salad, rather than the main event.


Since it was Halloween on the eve of our visit (we passed a super-spooky boarded up pub on our way to Mini's and a deep fog had set in!), the menu included a roasted mini pumpkin with a melted sage and goat's cheese centre - so adorable and so delicious! The pumpkin had the wonderful, creamy consistency of roasted chestnuts. Although I couldn't finish all of mine (it was very rich), dipping my fork into the melted cheese mixture felt downright indulgent.


Our bellies were bursting by the time the mini chicken pies arrived, but we couldn't help dig in and taste the wonderful Middle-Eastern flavors which, when paired with the pomegranate seeds, sent us straight into foodie heaven.

When we felt like we couldn't possibly fit another bite in, dessert arrived in the form of figs with creme fraiche and decadent chocolate sauce. I fell in love with the rose chocs that came later, served with fresh mint tea:


John and I had so much fun getting to know the two other couples at our table - it turned out that we had a lot in common and by the end of the evening, it felt like we were sitting next to old friends. Conversation flowed easily and they were all very patient as I took photos of everything before we ate!

Before we left, Mini pressed small parcels of home-made cardamom-infused madeleines into our hands "for breakfast tomorrow," she said. All the proceeds from that evening went to the Syrian Refugee Crisis, a cause close to Mini's heart and one that's played on all our minds lately.

So: a hostess with the mostess serving up a delicious five-course menu in her beautiful home with a charitable aim? I couldn't have imagined a more perfect way to spend my Saturday night.

Have you ever been to a supper club? What did you think? I'd love to hear!

(p.s. I'm a fan of GrubClub and have been to a few of their events before!)
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15 comments

  1. What an absolute treat! I'm the same, the idea of a supper club can be quite daunting but I usually find it goes really well! Looks like you had an absolutely delightful array of courses - I love that little pumpkin!

    Lauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries

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    1. Isn't the pumpkin so cute, Lauren?! Have you been to a supper club before? Did you like it? xo

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  2. Love supper clubs! I went to one in Chelsea a few years ago, I had made reservations for my parents and I, but they missed their flight back from France and so I had to take a couple of friends instead! Was super fun and I think they attract a great group of people, so there's always good conversation.

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    1. The one you went to sounded like fun, Annmaree! I'd definitely be up for trying another one again ...

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  3. Sounds like a wonderful evening! Although I must admit that the thought of acting as the chef fills me with utter horror!

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    1. It really was, Ruth! I wonder if Mini thrives under pressure - after all, she was a finalist on MasterChef!

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  4. This sounds like such a lovely evening Jaime! I actually went to my first supper club last week (Luiz Hara's/the London Foodie's) and absolutely loved it! These dishes both look and sound delicious though - I would have really enjoyed the food! Lots of love, Andrea xxx

    Andrea's Passions

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    1. Ooh, I'll have to look into the London Foodie's! I've also been meaning to try Rosie's (A Little Lusciousness) for a while now. I think you would have really enjoyed this one! xx

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  5. Wow all of the food that you are looks absolutely drool-worthy! Especially the roasted mini pumpkin, which is just too cute!

    http://thecourtneydiaries.com

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    1. The pumpkin was adorable! I totally hadn't expected that! Mini cooked some AMAZING courses - I really don't know how she planned it all and stayed so glamorous and (seemingly) relaxed throughout!

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  6. Crumbs, this sounds like an utterly delicious evening!

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    1. Haha, good and appropriate use of "crumbs", Emma! Definitely no crumbs left on my plate that evening ... :)

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  7. This sounds fantastic! I agree with you on the fear of a super club! I always worry about situations like that and then find out they're fine! I've been looking for things to cook with the pomegranates in the markets at the moment and there's somegreat ideas here!

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  8. Totally delicious! I keep meaning to book in for Rosie's too.
    Lots of love,
    Angie

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  9. Not gonna lie the thought of a dinner club fills me with dread - what if they murder me and cook me for dinner?! Or more likely I say something stupid and everyone thinks I'm an idiot. The food always looks incredible though I guess that's cause more time/attention can go in to catering for a small few than a busy restaurant x

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