Menu challenge
Menu challenge
THIS is the second year of the Prix des Deux Cartes award. It is an odd and rather pretentious title. Who in Britain, even if they are French, calls menus and wine lists "cartes"? You wonder how many would-be entrants miss it for this reason.
It is nevertheless a welcome replacement for the defunct Mouton Rothschild competition which was similar in style and function.
Like the Mouton competition, it is about the marriage of food and wine. Chef/sommelier teams are invited to submit menus with recommended wines. A judging panel assesses the entries on paper and draws up a shortlist of five finalists. These are asked to prepare and serve their meals to the judges.
The Prix des Deux Cartes award is run by London-based wine shippers Mentzendorff & Company, tel: 071-22 2522. Recommended wines must be selected from the Mentzendorff portfolio. Winning teams share a grant of up to £2,000 to visit any of the producers whose wines they have selected. Entry forms were sent out in late December should be returned completed by 31 January.
Foreign bodies
THE more unlikely the country the more interesting the beer - that seems to be the rule as far as bars and restaurants are concerned.
Try Lal Toofan, brewed by Shaw Wallace of Calcutta, part of the Chabria Group. It should retail at around £2.50 a bottle for £2 a pint on draught. The draught product will be brewed by Ushers of Trowbridge, Enquiries to Shaw Wallace Overseas, tel: 071-978 5156.
