Taste of London Preview

"Would you like to come to a party at the Laurent Perrier Secret Garden" said a friend. "It's the opening night of Taste London" - uh, YES PLEASE! So last night, we headed off in the drizzle to Regent's Park for the preview night of Taste London.

There was lashings of Laurent Perrier, mojitos a-go-go, some yummy food from Street Kitchen and an amazing hog roast. Celebs included Alex James, A A Gill, Jeremy Clarkson, Gary Rhodes, Ian Wright, Jay Rayner, and Michael Gambon, which led to excited cries of 'Dumbledore' from our group - poor man.The only thing not making a guest appearance was the sunshine, which would have made the evening. But stiffer upper lip and all that, we battled on.

The food was marvellous (as you would expect) - black bream with coleslaw, rocket and beetroot from Street Kitchen and that wonderful hog roast in a big floury bap. The staff at the event were lovely and did I mention the drinks kept on coming? All in all a rather top night. My only complaints, no, not complaints, suggestions, for making it better, would be as follows: 1) Guests greeted on arrival with a glass of champagne rather than having to go to the bar for the first drink. 2) More food stalls - this was the Taste preview after all and only two stalls seemed a bit mean. 3) Access to the main area to have a look around at all the other stalls. Gosh, I'm fussy. My pictures are below, and if you're going over the next few days, enjoy. And take an umbrella.

Me at the entrance to the Secret Garden.



My friend Duncan samples the black bream from the Street Kitchen.

The amazing spit roasted pork in a bun and soaker upper of Laurent Perrier.

The lovely guys at Street Kitchen

Street Kitchen - yummy black bream.

Sampling the Laurent Perrier

That bream up close. With watercress, coleslaw and beetroot.

Mojito - entering danger zone!

Friend of a friend with Ian Wright.

Lovely lady in a beautiful dress (Laura Ashley - wow!)

Party goers!

Me and Duncan - slightly worse for wear.