Na-NOT-WriMo Submission 6
Client - agentinfinity
Theme - Aristocratic Cannibalism
Sentence - "So, which of you will attend the hunt?"
The Toast
To my esteemed Lords Clarendon, Folshaw, Grey, Lowther, Tolmourne, and my Lady van Deurs.
I must begin with congratulating our host, Lord Grey, on the presentation of a wonderful banquet this evening, and thanking him for his hospitality.. Upon entering your hall and being offered the superb amuse-bouche of carpaccio-wrapped spiced grissini, I knew our evening would be one to be remembered.
The idea of a terrine as entrée was quite simply marvellous, my Lord Grey. The perfect start to your celebration of the Buck and Doe, I must say. The sensation of the perfectly cooked, peppery hock melting as easily as the wonderfully spiced jelly your cooks had suspended it in was a delight.
I wondered if, with this dish, our host had peaked too soon... as is often the case for a gentleman of his age. No, but I jest, of course, I jest.
If presented with the idea of the Blood Orange sorbet before this night, I may have questioned the sanity of the man suggesting it, but I am very glad that our Lord Grey chose this night to unleash the creativity of his cooks. The coppery zing of the iced delight cleansed the palate, and was just the thing to prepare us for what was to come.
Again, I congratulate our esteemed host on his dedication to the celebration of the whole Buck and Doe. A Czernina as the soup course was an inspired choice, and truly the rich, dark broth, with it's smooth texture and sour cherries took me back to the days of childhood on my Grand Aunt's estates near Leczyca, and the long, dark winters we would have. Oho, yes, my Lady van Deurs, I can remember that far back, I can indeed.
The piquant sweetbreads on a light, saffron risotto did bring to mind a dish I have previously served to this esteemed company, but there is no jealousy or contempt in my praise for that course, my Lord Grey. The perfectly placed flavours and the sublime risotto were, frankly, mouthwatering, and again we seem to find that there is no achievement of mine that you cannot best, my friend!
I was glad at this point for more of the wonderful sorbet, and I see now why you chose to repeat the same intermezzo. It carried the spirit of the theme beautifully and worked wonders in refreshing the palate.
Your presentation of the platters of cold cuts depicting the Buck and Doe in flight from the hunt was a true spectacle, my Lord Grey, and I am glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed spearing the Doe for a second time. The pâtes, sashimis, sliced sausage and delicacies were a real treat; a real treat. I particularly enjoyed the chilled devilled kidneys, I have to say.
At this point I must also congratulate our host on his choice of vintage, if you will raise you glasses with me now. Each wine perfectly chosen to compliment each course, hear hear.
To the main course. The Wellington of the Doe and Buck. The filets were perfect, my Lord Grey, absolutely, perfectly, mouth-wateringly rare, and the remainder of the dish was glorious; the duxelles and pâtes complementing the flavours exquisitely. Again, an inspiring choice, my Lord, inspiring.
And so, while we prepare ourselves for the dessert courses, which I have no doubt will astound and amaze our senses, I raise a toast to the Buck and Doe! I understand that they were bred on this estate especially for our rites, and that their mother is among the kitchen staff who prepared this very banquet. My Lord Grey excels in his devotions to hallowed Boruta, indeed. A toast! Your glasses, my Lords and Lady, a toast.
Now, if I may be so gauche, might I bring your attention to our next gathering and rites, once month hence, where I shall play host once more? It promises to be quite thrilling.
So, which of you will attend the hunt?
AUTHORS NOTE - You might need a food dictionary. Or Wikipedia. Either will do!
Theme - Aristocratic Cannibalism
Sentence - "So, which of you will attend the hunt?"
The Toast
To my esteemed Lords Clarendon, Folshaw, Grey, Lowther, Tolmourne, and my Lady van Deurs.
I must begin with congratulating our host, Lord Grey, on the presentation of a wonderful banquet this evening, and thanking him for his hospitality.. Upon entering your hall and being offered the superb amuse-bouche of carpaccio-wrapped spiced grissini, I knew our evening would be one to be remembered.
The idea of a terrine as entrée was quite simply marvellous, my Lord Grey. The perfect start to your celebration of the Buck and Doe, I must say. The sensation of the perfectly cooked, peppery hock melting as easily as the wonderfully spiced jelly your cooks had suspended it in was a delight.
I wondered if, with this dish, our host had peaked too soon... as is often the case for a gentleman of his age. No, but I jest, of course, I jest.
If presented with the idea of the Blood Orange sorbet before this night, I may have questioned the sanity of the man suggesting it, but I am very glad that our Lord Grey chose this night to unleash the creativity of his cooks. The coppery zing of the iced delight cleansed the palate, and was just the thing to prepare us for what was to come.
Again, I congratulate our esteemed host on his dedication to the celebration of the whole Buck and Doe. A Czernina as the soup course was an inspired choice, and truly the rich, dark broth, with it's smooth texture and sour cherries took me back to the days of childhood on my Grand Aunt's estates near Leczyca, and the long, dark winters we would have. Oho, yes, my Lady van Deurs, I can remember that far back, I can indeed.
The piquant sweetbreads on a light, saffron risotto did bring to mind a dish I have previously served to this esteemed company, but there is no jealousy or contempt in my praise for that course, my Lord Grey. The perfectly placed flavours and the sublime risotto were, frankly, mouthwatering, and again we seem to find that there is no achievement of mine that you cannot best, my friend!
I was glad at this point for more of the wonderful sorbet, and I see now why you chose to repeat the same intermezzo. It carried the spirit of the theme beautifully and worked wonders in refreshing the palate.
Your presentation of the platters of cold cuts depicting the Buck and Doe in flight from the hunt was a true spectacle, my Lord Grey, and I am glad to say that I thoroughly enjoyed spearing the Doe for a second time. The pâtes, sashimis, sliced sausage and delicacies were a real treat; a real treat. I particularly enjoyed the chilled devilled kidneys, I have to say.
At this point I must also congratulate our host on his choice of vintage, if you will raise you glasses with me now. Each wine perfectly chosen to compliment each course, hear hear.
To the main course. The Wellington of the Doe and Buck. The filets were perfect, my Lord Grey, absolutely, perfectly, mouth-wateringly rare, and the remainder of the dish was glorious; the duxelles and pâtes complementing the flavours exquisitely. Again, an inspiring choice, my Lord, inspiring.
And so, while we prepare ourselves for the dessert courses, which I have no doubt will astound and amaze our senses, I raise a toast to the Buck and Doe! I understand that they were bred on this estate especially for our rites, and that their mother is among the kitchen staff who prepared this very banquet. My Lord Grey excels in his devotions to hallowed Boruta, indeed. A toast! Your glasses, my Lords and Lady, a toast.
Now, if I may be so gauche, might I bring your attention to our next gathering and rites, once month hence, where I shall play host once more? It promises to be quite thrilling.
So, which of you will attend the hunt?
AUTHORS NOTE - You might need a food dictionary. Or Wikipedia. Either will do!