There was an air of big excitement surrounding the kitchen in our 2AA Rosette Mirabelle Restaurant last week! Head Chef Gerald Roser was preparing for his old pal, celebrity Chef Cyrus Todiwala to arrive. It was the day of the Spice Evening 4 Dinner and all places had sold out months in advance.
As mentioned, this was to be the fourth time these two talented Chefs had joined forces to produce another unforgettable Spice Sensation. Tonight would be no different.
Cyrus, well known for his appearances on 'Saturday Kitchen' and 'The Incredible Spice Men' arrived with his wife and co-Chef Parvin all loaded up with wonderful smelling spices and ingredients, and so they set about the task to cook and entertain the 50 guests who had booked for the event.
Cyrus was born and brought up in Mumbai in a house split into two flats. His Uncle's family and grandparents lived in one part whilst his family took the other side. After graduating from Polytechnic he trained as a Chef for the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. He quickly rose through the ranks to Executive Chef for all the chain's hotels across India, this consisted of some 11 restaurants and over 160 staff. It was also here he met his wife.
It was in 1991 that he and his young family arrived in the UK. Things did not come easily but in 1995 he opened is now famous restaurant Cafe Spice Namaste in London. In 2006 he opened Cafe 't' and launched a range of cooking sauces under his name. A very proud moment for Cyrus came in 2000 when he was awarded the MBE for services to the restaurant and catering industry. In 2010 he was also awarded the OBE. If that wasn't enough, in 2011 he opened his Mr Todiwala's Kitchen located in the Hilton Hotel at Heathrow's new terminal 5. Things were definately on the up.
Now a regular on the BBC's 'Saturday Kitchen', he is a much admired Chef. In 2013 he joined forces with fellow Indian Chef Tony Singh to present their own personal cookery show on BBC 2, The Incredible Spice Men: Todiwala and Singh.
With all these amazing ahcievements and accolades you can understand why the Mirabelle Brigade are so thrilled he keeps agreeing to return each year!
This year the theme was 'A Taste of Bombay'. A trio of starters came first , these were lightly spiced Lamb mince in mini rolls, Potato cake with Prawn and Red Masala and Jumping Turkey Samosa's. The jumping link coming from the highly spiced dish talk you a little by surprise! Next was a delicious piece of Chalk Stream Trout marinated in ginger, garlic, cumin and coriander. Main course was Manx Loaghtan Mutton flavoured with whole spices and Hunza Apricots. To top the menu off, and it certainly did was a dessert of pure theatre. Pistachio Kulfi using nuts from the Yazd Province of Iran. All in all a feast fit for Kings!
This style of cooking is certainly not the norm within the Harden's Award winning Mirabelle Restaurant, but Chef Roser loves the challange and certainly enjoys his friends company. It was a great event and as they say 'the proof is in the eating'.... Already 40 guests have signed up for 2016... This time the theme will be ' A Taste of Goa Portuguesa'.... we cannot wait!