jon Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 Guesse I should give up trying!!!!!!I do not live with ideas of opening packets of readily prepared food!If its the easy life you carze well so be it...good cooking does not come out of packets.It is something to relish.....never mind.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted November 14, 2008 Author Share Posted November 14, 2008 should have been "CRAVE" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I have used a very good book in the past called the Curry Secret, you make a pile of base which you can freeze, then you add your ingredients to this to create almost any curry you want. They are extremely good too.You may get it on amazon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Have you tried Keith Floyds Indian cookery books Katie? I cannot recommend them highly enough. I think he's great! If I were in charge he'd get a knighthood. I did try and start an online campaign to get him drapped with ermine, but only six people signed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingdingaling Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 No offense meant here, i'm sure the OP means well and is very optimistic butwhy would this so called top indian chef give it all up and move to France where they don't eat this stuff much and take a gambleif he's any good he'll be opening more places in Englandwhat needs to be done is for someone to go to a curry mile somewhere, marry into them and get them over here and open a place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Check out 'Le Gandhi' restaurant in Lorient - fabulous Indian food! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 And I can recommend the "New Dehli" in Toulouse if anyone is passing. Except the popadoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 King I think that you are unaware of the fact that I was in the restaurant buisness in London and in touch with top chefs who own top restaurants and also people involved in restaurant guide books/journalism and need to tell you that you lack information....and poss knowledge of the how a restaurant begins its life and how it suceedes.There is no relationship between a great chef[cooking skills]being able to survive the cravy running costs of operating in UK[ESPECIALLY LONDON] and his questionable ability.Infact at this point in time the project is merely an idea in order to show the chap restaurant life in my area...The chef has not appraoched me.....it is the memory of his exceptional cooking which gave me the idea to invite him to France.I will reminde you that the area where I live is not rural France it is probably the wine capitol of the world which attracts not only tourists but residents with sophistacted palats and an interest in fine cuisine.I confess that it is difficult for many people to appreciate the difference between haute cuisine and eating something acceptable.....but I have spent[and my partener] 30 years in London with strict kitchen discipline...learning and appreciating that cooking is an art.....but there are no short cuts.We trained people to cook.I feel [and others too]that an exceptional chef of Indian origin will be greatly received in our region and if he opened a restaurant he would have no problem making a good living and respect for his cuisine.What more can you want from life?!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 [quote user="jon"]I will reminde you that the area where I live is not rural France it is probably the wine capitol of the world which attracts not only tourists but residents with sophistacted palats and an interest in fine cuisine.[/quote]Alas! I am unworthy to even breath the air that these people burp up after eating, pointless philistine that I am. [:D]Leaving the Good Curry Guide to France aside for a mo, one thing that does perplex me is this: given that there are so many people living in France who are of North African extraction (around six miilion, I believe), why are there not more high quality restaurants serving Morrocan or Tunisian food? OK, it is fairly easy to get a mediocre couscous, but a trip to North Africa reveals that there is an extensive and subtle cuisine to be had from these regions.All the time I've lived here I've come across only one such restaurant that was halfway decent. Perhaps I've been unlucky and have missed the right streets? [8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 jon, One thing puzzles me about your restaurant career - were you 'front of house' ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 [quote user="The Riff-Raff Element"]Leaving the Good Curry Guide to France aside for a mo, one thing that does perplex me is this: given that there are so many people living in France who are of North African extraction (around six miilion, I believe), why are there not more high quality restaurants serving Morrocan or Tunisian food? OK, it is fairly easy to get a mediocre couscous, but a trip to North Africa reveals that there is an extensive and subtle cuisine to be had from these regions.All the time I've lived here I've come across only one such restaurant that was halfway decent. Perhaps I've been unlucky and have missed the right streets? [8-)][/quote]I think it's relatively rare to find large numbers of Mahgrebins in rural France, but a trip to any of the major cities should turn up some excellent Maghrebin cuisine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 Plenty of middle of the road food....in London...everywhere!There is,unfortun ately little demand for perfection.but those who desire it will find it.Russet-House....Originally I was the chef and was one of the first three women chefs to get AA rosettes...apparently!I carried on as a chef for many years with a small team and we entered the Michelin guide and the Gault Millau with 14/20...I think...got an Egon Ronay Star...did well in the Good Food Guide.....then I handed over the kitchen to Jonathon[I am Barbara] who, was originally more of a musician but through the years has proved to me and many others that his cooking is as good as any of the fav TV chefs......but he pref ers to avoid the camera...unless he is taking the photos.If it is flavours fresh ingredient,extures and clean looking presentation you appreciate rather than media driven chefs .....you will appreciate what he has to offer.I still cook...here at Clos des Saveurs for the clients....my style is different to J s so we complement each other.I have decided to open a club for cooks here and I feel that I will invite my Indian chef associate over as part of that project.There are many interesting people for him to meet here.So it will be open to those who want to come for the day....cook...learn and then eat our cuisine....wonder round the parc....enjoy the pool and maybe visit our neighbour and try the [they have a vineyard]Asked yesterday" why did you come to France"Apart from the beautiful and varied buildings and the vines and the bougoise properties I enjoy the French appreciation for quality and finess.There are no barriers or complexeties in the world of fine food and wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted November 16, 2008 Author Share Posted November 16, 2008 Yes in later years I was front of house....forgot to reply fully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 [quote user="You can call me Betty"]I think it's relatively rare to find large numbers of Mahgrebins in rural France, but a trip to any of the major cities should turn up some excellent Maghrebin cuisine.[/quote]Logically you should be correct, but the one really good place I went to was in a tiny little place near Cholet. Our local ones are adequate at best, and the ones I've been to in Paris and Nantes decidedly so-so. I did look around when I was in Toulouse the other week but didn't find even one, which is what I mean about not being able to find the right streets [:(] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Must admit, when I go to Paree I tend to rely on invites from my oldest and dearest friend from school, who married into a family of Tunisian traiteurs[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Riff-Raff Element Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Ah, now there you have an unassailable advantage. Erm...you couldn't ask them for a recommendation could you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 apparently most 'run of the mill' Indian restaurants in the UK cook on a similar principle. Pre-cooked meat to which different sauce mixtures are added at the last minute. I wonder how one can find out whether food is freshly cooked or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Well, living in one of the curry centres of the UK, I'd say it's pretty simple. Go somewhere where you can actually see the open kitchen and watch your curry being cooked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
odile Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 obvious- sorry. wonder if you live in the same curry centre as moi? Can you give good recommendations for the Midlands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted November 16, 2008 Share Posted November 16, 2008 Sorry, Odile, only "north of" and "south of"[:D]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 Russet house....are you no longer puzzled.Have you established that what I am telling you is correct.But a reminder to those who doubt our dedication and experience please referto the Good Food guide 1993 which put us in the top 20 restaurants in London......privately owned and preivately funded....and self -taught. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 And with spelling mistakes....which, of course did not affect the cooking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 I don't doubt what you are saying is correct, sadly I personally find the way you talk about food incredibly off putting - c'est la vie, you can't please all of the people all of the time.....[:)]I'm still putting of a visit to The Fat Duck, but hope to try this : http://www.designrestaurants.com/DRRestaurants.aspx and Hestons third Bray restaurant http://www.restaurant-guide.com/riverside-brasserie.htm soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon Posted November 20, 2008 Author Share Posted November 20, 2008 perhaps Russet house you could explain what is "off-putting"....the way I talk about food?Plealse explain yourself.I have a preference to prepare food freshly and without taking the short cuts....just as perhaps Rosemary Shrager[not sure of how she spells her name]Raymond Blanc or Gordon Ramsay would....but this is all a little more complex than just cooking.....is it not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted November 20, 2008 Share Posted November 20, 2008 Save yourself a fortune, RH and visit the Little Chef.[;-)] (It's on the A303 at Popham, BTW.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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