So some of you will have caught our live blogging session from the London Restaurant Awards, which took place at Grosvenor House, last night.
While my colleagues Kerstin and Katherine were delivering you a minute-by-minute account of the evening from the press room, I was lucky enough to be hobnobbing front of house.
Here's a few of my favourite moments and quotes:-
* Jack Dee on ITV's decision to withdraw their support of the awards just days before the event: "ITV appear to have converted to Catholicism - they've pulled out at the last minute"
* Jack Dee on thanking the Grosvenor House: "The staff have worked tirelessly tonight - and they thought it was tough walking through the Channel Tunnel."
* Jason Atherton on accepting his award for Outstanding London Chef from Emma Bunton: "I finally get to kiss a Spice Girl - after 20 years of hard work."
* The lovely Silvano Giraldin, former general manager of the Le Gavroche, presenting the award for Outstanding Retaurant Service on the first day of his retirement.
* John Torode to co-presenter and Celebrity Masterchef winner Liz McClarnon while she struggles to open the envelope: "Come on, get the bloody thing out!"
* Giles Coren presenting the award for Best Restaurant Chain - yeah, like he's ever been to a Harvester before.
* Great Queen Street owner Mike Belben on accepting the award for Restaurateur of the Year: "My success is down to serving perfect food and no ponceyness. Great Queen Street oozes honesty."
* French Restaurant of the Year winner Chris Galvin coming clean on stage and admitting that when he worked with Jack Dee at the Ritz, he sent Dee up the road to Brown's to borrow a souffle pump.
* Back on the subject of ITV pulling out of the awards, Jack Dee's final word: "Whatever the reason, in your trade you refer to them as 'no shows' - or **** (see you next Tuesday) as I call them.
Comments (1)
Damn, that sound's so easy if you think about it.
Posted by Profi-IQ | July 13, 2009 7:56 PM
Posted on July 13, 2009 19:56