Friday 22 November 2024
A Review by Jude Baylis
Despite the shades of lethargy in the title, the Laying Up Supper is always a lively celebration in the RDYC calendar.
A time to reflect on the last sailing season and to look ahead to sunnier times. Such is the cycle of sailing life. On that dark, damp, dull November evening, those sunny cycle thoughts were certainly keeping me going, as was the splendid dinner to sustain and enhance my hope and love for life.
As a tribute to our laid-up landlubber lull, the mushroom starter was a flavour-forzaterra foodie firma. Reminiscent of a woodland still life, the mushrooms on the thin buttery slice were like a prize pastry pizza. The fig oozed sensual succulence that always takes me to faraway exotic places; whilst the jaunty, chargrilled lettuce on the side was a wistful nod to spring and summer. The whole scene was drizzled and united with a luminous green, punchy pesto.
Taking the lead of the luminous green, the main course was a blaze of brightness. Beautifully dreamed-up for that murky November evening. Sturdy salmon gently cooked so that it truly yielded to every bite – although bite is far too vicious a word. Correction, it blended with my mouth.
Secret agent saffron worked its magic in the sauce. Although the word sauce barely hits the semantics spot for vibrant and vivid lashings of luxury. The salmon loved it, the baby corn, carrots, broccoli, green beans, and cauliflower worthy of a springtime veg plot ALL loved it and were delightedly dancing on the plate, alongside the melting potato like a yellow crispy sunshine.
To the pudding, a visual delight of seasonal goodness. Harking back, or harking to summer, the strawberry crumble, pretty in a ramekin dish and dusted with icing sugar, elevated to elegance. There is something about a pudding-in-a-pot that makes every measured-out teaspoon precious and I was possessive of every ‘oon. The cheery sprig of orange physalis added a creative loveliness and the exquisite berry sorbet squeezed every bit of flavour out of those very merry berries. The sweetly-sprinkled hazelnut crumb like woodland autumnal treasure completed this well-thought-out plate of food.
For those who wished to linger for longer to enjoy the moment there was coffee; or else the bar awaited for comfy companiable laying up.
A hearty thanks to Mark for cooking up hope on our plates and to Finn and the team for looking after us during the evening.
Thank you to our committed cruising leader, Richard Balfry for organising the evening, for the nostalgic photo moments montage and the awards ceremony ably presented with Rosemary Tomison.
It was definitely an evening worth getting laid-up for at the club.