All the highlights from Food Fest 2023

On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September, our Oxfordshire country outpost hosted a food festival with Michelin-star chefs, revered culinary institutions and some of the most in-demand names on the food scene right now. Matt Abé (Restaurant Gordon Ramsay), Skye Gyngell (Spring), Asma Khan (Darjeeling Express), Henry Harris (Bouchon Racine), among others, turned up to showcase their food and feed our hungry guests.
 
The crowd arrived at Soho Farmhouse’s 100 acres of countryside to find an array of shacks and trucks serving everything from Slow-Braised Short Rib over rice to the famous Grilled Steak Sando from Disney+ favourite The Bear. Neil Rankin’s vegan Dan Dan Noodles, John Javier’s Sichuan Turbot Filet Burger and Asma Khan’s warming Methi Chicken Curry all got rave reviews, alongside various other dishes by Sally Abé, Candice Brown, and more. 

Ravneet Gill was our host for the festival, and she also showed guests how to make her Toffee Apple Self-Saucing Pudding with custard. 

The Orangery was transformed into the HexClad Lab over the weekend hosting demos by the likes of Notorious Foodie and Max Coen of Dorian, who collaborated to create an elevated twist on the restaurant’s beloved Potato Rosti, using caviar, black truffle, wagyu beef and more, giving  members samples to try at the end. Professor Tim Spector worked with sustainable fine-dining and foraging experts, Native, to make a healthy and delicious Wild Mushroom Risotto with fermented fennel gremolata. Plus, two Michelin-star chef patron of Kitchen table, James Knappett, who was also hosting a shack over the weekend, demonstrated how to make Agnolotti Pasta with Mexican sweetcorn, caramelised corn and 26-month aged Parmesan foam.

Elsewhere, From The Ashes BBQ, Ruben’s Reuben and Cue Point debuted a live fire and smoking station at the House, where Hot Honey Smoked Ends (Ruben’s Reuben), ‘Del Piero’ Pork Donut (From The Ashes BBQ) and Lamb Brisket Dumplings (Cue Point) were huge hits. 

Meanwhile, at the HexClad Lab in the Barwell Orangery, guests enjoyed a one-off, pre-booked dinner by Matt Abé, chef patron of the three Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, which featured some of its most iconic dishes, such as the Lobster, Salmon and Langoustine Ravioli, to celebrate 25 years of the fine-dining institution.

For a sweet treat over on the ‘Beacon of Dreams’ lawn, Porsche gave guests the chance to build their own Longboys finger doughnuts by chef Graham Hornigold, with flavours including Black Forest, Lemon Meringue, Raspberry Rose and Lychee, Apple Crumble, Strawberry and White Chocolate, and Triple Chocolate Brownie.
 
The Glasshouse and Production Garden were transformed into a tropical jungle, which housed an edible plants sanctuary. Brad Carter, chef-patron of Michelin-star restaurant Carters of Moseley, served a British take on an Italian aperitivo for guests to enjoy. Following this, they explored the sanctuary and collected ingredients to put on their very own jungle-to-table foraged pizzas, which were then cooked in front of them as they sipped on Aperol Spritzes and Peroni Capris.
 
The Beach returned for a second year with equal success. Set up on the Lazy Lawn and in partnership with Patrón Tequila, the crowd enjoyed a Picante and tucked into the finest coastal food from around the world, including a particularly popular collaboration between Adriana Cavita (Cavita) and Edson Diaz-Fuentes (Santo Remedio), who served Ceviche Tostada. Members also couldn’t get enough of Melissa Thompson’s Jerk Pork and Dom Fernando’s Brixham Crab Kothu Roti, to name a few.

The Harvest Table in the Barwell Barn was used as a hub for multi-course dining, hosting a lunch by Skye Gyngell (Spring) and Professor Tim Spector (ZOE). Plus, a special three-course dinner by Sabrina Gidda and Jay Morjaria, who created a vibrant menu celebrating South Asian heritage, presented by Porsche. Members also enjoyed another lunch by Henry Harris, who showcased the menu from his French restaurant, Bouchon Racine, including a Magret de Canard Saute a la Paysanne, and a special cocktail pairing menu in partnership with St-Germain.
 
More supporting brands included Rock Angel, No. 3 Gin and a bar takeover with Woodford Reserve and The Sun Tavern.
 
Explore and apply for membership at Soho Farmhouse.