Blog Forman and Field

A comparison of Forman’s offering and the official Prestige hospitality inside the Olympic park from Bloomberg today. Video of our floor 2 venue is included – which we will convert into a 300 seat restaurant during the games – and footage of the smokery in action. Click the image to play the video…

Details of our restaurant and corporate hospitality options can all be found here - http://www.formansfishisland.com/dining-experience/

Picnicking has been a popular pastime in the UK since the 18th century, when lords and ladies would enjoy lavish country banquets. Modern diners with a taste for luxury can continue in the spirit of the original picnickers with one of our fabulously indulgent hampers.

The Great British Summer Pick hamper is packed with the best of British ingredients such as Scottish salmon and Welsh lamb. There’s also ham hock terrine, pork and roast tomato pie, and a lemon tart brulée.

Forget lugging great amounts of kitchen equipment out into the countryside. Our Finger Food Pick hamper provides everything you need for an afternoon’s al fresco dining. It includes fantastic finger-food-sized portions of Thai crab cakes with wasabi mayonnaise, and tiger prawns with chilli and coriander.

Alternatively, try our Purist’s Pack. This perennial favourite features homemade quiche, roasted baby-potato salad, summer fruits, and Pimm’s with fresh fruit – the perfect combination for a summer party picnic.

Of course, not everyone wants the full decadence of a picnic. Sometimes a simple meal of wine, bread and cheese is enough. Browse our selection of specialist cheeses from Neal’s Yard Dairy for some inspirational ideas.

The famously fickle British climate means that rain can make an appearance at the most inopportune moment. When it does, it’s always good to have an alternative in mind. Indoor picnics can be just as fun as their outdoor counterparts – especially for those who enjoy their creature comforts.

Our Afternoon Tea Pick is perfect antidote to a dreary day, with smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, iced tea, quiche, Victoria sponge, scones and clotted cream. The hamper is supplied with picnic carrier, cutlery and crockery – so no need for washing up!

The upcoming Jubilee celebrations are the perfect excuse to buy in some picnic hampers and share them with friends new and old. For the more formal British street party, try one of our Queen’s Diamond Jubilee hamper baskets.

These are packed with irresistible party treats that honour Her Royal Highness’s 60-year reign. Expect to find Royal Fillet of London Cure Smoked Salmon, Palace Earl Grey Tea, a homemade Victoria Sandwich cake and a sensational sparkling wine from Sussex.

Alternatively, make up your own party package with our individual products such as Union Jack cupcakes in jars, coronation chicken or a tea-time cake with celebratory red, white and blue packaging.

For those who want to celebrate the Jubilee a little more intimately, perhaps with a loved one, one of our hampers is the ideal way to while away an afternoon far from the throngs of summer party merry makers.

Our Top Pick hamper serves two and is a veritable epicurean cornucopia. The hamper contains prawn salad, fillet of beef with tomato salad, Colston Bassett stilton, handmade petit-fours, gorgeous salads and bread, plus a stunning sparkling wine from Chapel Down.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be expanding our selection of hampers online so check back regularly so as not to miss out. We may not be able to guarantee the weather, but we can guarantee a hamper so good that nothing else will matter.

At Forman & Field we love a good party – and what better reason to celebrate than the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee?

Millions of people across the UK are expected to take part in street parties throughout the extended bank holiday, with Sunday 3 June predicted to be the most popular party day.

To mark 60 years of the Queen’s reign, we’ve created the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Hamper. This veritable royal feast brings together a hand-picked selection of epicurean delights, such as Palace Earl Grey Tea, Royal Fillet of London Cure Smoked Salmon, a sensational sparkling wine from Sussex and a homemade Victoria Sandwich cake. Victoria sponge originally became popular during Queen Victoria’s reign, and has since become an important part of the UK’s culinary culture.

Forman & Field are widely acknowledged as the country’s leading supplier of fine food for private events. We recently catered for the Ascot polo tournament and Her Majesty said our gluten-free Luxury Chocolate Brownies were the best she’d ever had!

This year’s Jubilee celebrations are expected to be a highlight of the UK’s festive calendar, with the government pushing for a nationwide blow out. Last month, the Local Government Association announced that it had received more than 3,500 road closure applications for street parties. It also said many local authorities were offering cash grants, waiving road closures fees and handing out party packs.

Royal street party planners say that preparation is the most essential aspect of a successful party. This means organising tables, chairs, bunting and volunteers. Most importantly it means organising the food. We’re dab hands at luxurious party food; whether it’s London Cure Smoked Salmon or luxury chocolate nibbles, we have all the best street party ideas and we are more than happy to advise on any aspect of Jubilee food.

Advisers from the Women’s Institute recommend cold finger food for street parties, which can be left out for people to enjoy throughout the day. Some of our favourite finger foods include Mrs King’s pork pies, Michael Nadell’s macaroons in red, white and blue, our prime steak Cornish pasties or some of our delectable savoury tartlets.

For an interesting twist on street party food try our Union Jack cupcakes in jars. Presented in a Union Jack box, these patriotic little treats will delight children and adults alike. If any remain uneaten, the jar’s tight seal means they can be kept for the next party.  For the traditionalists, try our jubilee teacake in rule Britannia packaging.

For drinks, such a quintessentially British summer party certainly needs tea – but not just any tea. Try our Palace Earl Grey Tea for a refreshing midday brew. For those in need of a caffeine hit we supply Paddy & Scott’s coffee, which is roasted in the beautiful village of Earl Soham in Suffolk.

For a more intimate celebration, consider our complete Jubilee menus, including 3 courses, wine and a box of Paul Wayne Gregory tea infused chocolates.

However you celebrate, be sure to raise a glass to our Monarch. Some of our most suitable alcoholic beverages include Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, which frequently beats Champagnes in blind tastings. Alternatively, toast with Chapel Down Brut sparkling wine or rosé.

With Forman & Field you can get a variety of top-notch foods for your Diamond Jubilee street party –

enjoy the day with food fit for the Queen.

-World’s leading swimwear brand Speedo first to reserve top class hospitality suites-

Forman’s Fish Island is ready to welcome a host of the world’s top brands this summer, including global swimwear brand Speedo, as the distinctive Fish Island Riviera launches as one of the capital’s most unique and stunning venues for corporate hospitality.

Set to bring an added touch of glamour to the heart of East London, Forman’s Fish Island is a mere 100 metres from the Olympic Stadium in Stratford, affording unrivalled balcony views of the iconic venue at a time when the eyes of the world are focussed firmly upon it.

Adjacent to Forman’s Salmon Smokery, the hub of 30 individual 120m² suites is fully serviced including a 5m balcony to enjoy the views and the summer sunshine, while food from renowned caterers The Admirable Crichton will be served to guests within the suites.

Each can be customised to the client’s specifications, offering a fully branded environment to call home for the duration of a monumental summer in the capital, with car parking, drop off facilities, and even a dedicated water taxi stop offering added convenience for guests.

The glitz of Cannes is the inspiration behind the venue, with a beach club atmosphere by day, complete with fabulous cocktails, palm trees, and even beach volleyball to keep guests entertained.  At night Fish Island Riviera will transform into THE party venue where guests can extend their stay and simply make the excitement of the Olympics last that little bit longer.

For those wishing to make the experience even more unforgettable, a fleet of yachts will also be moored at Forman’s which guests can hire by the day, offering an opportunity to enjoy the unique festival atmosphere from the waters of the River Lea.

The world leader in swimwear, Speedo, is the first company to announce it will be based at Forman’s Fish Island Riviera during the summer, and will take two adjoining suites and use the space to cater for its corporate guests as well as stars of the sport of swimming.

David Robinson, President of Speedo International, said:

“With many of our clients, partners and stakeholders set to converge on London this year, it was vital for us to find a base which combines a stunning and memorable location, coupled with top class catering and service. We’re delighted to have secured all of those things with Forman’s Fish Island Riviera, and we look forward to welcoming our guests later this summer.”

Lance Forman, Managing Director of Forman’s Fish Island, said:

“We’re delighted to announce that Speedo will be among the world class brands to establish a base at Forman’s Fish Island Riviera at this once-in-a-lifetime moment for the city of London, and we look forward to providing its guests with a fittingly world class entertainment experience during their time here.

For further information or to arrange a tour of Forman’s Fish Riviera contact:

Lance Forman 0208 5252 399 / lance@formans.co.uk

Hospitality

Each 120m2 suite is fully serviced including a 5m balcony facing the iconic Olympic Stadium. Built by world leading providers of temporary event structures, GL Events, and managed on site by total brand activation company Pico, clients will have the option of fitting out and branding their space to their exact specification. Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery will forge links between clients and artists, generating new commissions to decorate the suites.

Pricing & Booking

Hospitality suites are available at Forman’s Fish Island Riviera for the period between 27^th July – 12^th August from a total of £75,000 + VAT (*)

Enquiries and booking requests should be directed to:
0208 5252 390 or info@formansfishisland.com

(*) price does not include fit out or minimum catering spend.

In honour of the Queen’s diamond jubilee we’re running a competition to create the most fantastic dessert possible using a mystery box of ingredients. We asked some of our favourite food bloggers to take part – see here for more details.

All the boxes have arrived, pinnies are being starched and rolling pins sharpened. Here’s the list of ingredients supplied, what would you make?

ORIGINAL BEANS CRU VIRUNGA 70% DARK CHOCOLATE A new chocolate producer that is rapidly becoming the choice of top Chefs, chocolatiers and restaurants including Marcus Wareing, The Fat Duck, Galvin at Windows and Damian Allsop to namedrop but a few. See enclosed notes for more detail. The original beans website is well worth a visit for chocolate inspiration - http://www.originalbeans.com/

DOVE’S FARM FLOUR This general purpose white flour is milled from English wheat grown by organic farmers to Ethical Trade standards which involve a fair price for the farmer and fair treatment of workers, as well as involvement with local communities. This is great for baking pastry, cakes and biscuits.

LONGMAN’S UNSALTED FARM BUTTER Proper butter from a family run Dairy farm in Somerset.

FORMAN & FIELD LEMON CURD Our own handmade lemon curd from the Forman & Field kitchens. Tarter than most with a good hit of lemon zest so it’s makes for a mighty fine baking ingredient.

CRÈME ANGLAISE More homemade goodness from our kitchens. We make this daily to order with lots of fresh Bourbon vanilla.

ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR This heavenly elixir is made in small batches with hand-picked elderflowers by Bramley & Gage down in South Devon. They’re a family business with son Michael recently having taken over from his old man Edward. And if you can’t think of a good recipe to bake with it…

MULLED PEARS The final contribution from the F&F kitchens, pears poached in a mulled red wine syrup.

Floor 1 and Formans Restaurant

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Floor 2 & Forman’s Smokehouse Gallery

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Floor 2 Roof Terrace

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Remember our ‘Formans Love Cook Off‘? Well today is a big day for baking!

It’s the launch of our inaugural (diamond jubilees don’t come around every day after all) Forman’s Jubilee Bake Off. We picked 9 of our favourite blogging bakers and sent them a mystery box of the finest ingredients we could lay our hands on. Their task is to use them to create a fabulous, magical, celebratory and most importantly delicious cake or sweet treat in honour of Her Maj’s Jubilee. Bloggers will photograph their entries post recipes online. Then they will be thoroughly tested and judged by Chef here at Forman & Field.

The prize for the winning entry will be a pair of tickets to our incredible Olympic dining experience, plus a guest post on the blog. The runner up will receive a Diamond Jubilee hamper.

It’s a dream team of masterful bakers, just take a look at their form here:

 http://athomewithmrsm.blogspot.co.uk

http://iheartkatiecakes.blogspot.co.uk/

www.renbehan.com

http://joskitchen.wordpress.com/

http://www.lavenderandlovage.com

http://www.frugaliciousfood.com/

www.Cupcakesbysarah.co.uk

http://www.workinglondonmummy.com

http://whatkatebaked.blogspot.co.uk/

The final boxes are arriving today and tomorrow, we can’t wait to see what they come up with!

We all love a list but there probably won’t be too many familiar names to most British diners on this year’s Restaurant Magazine run-down of the top 50 eateries in the world.

Whatever happened to Gordon and Marco? Michel and Michel, Albert and Alain? Fergus and Shaun? The UK peaked at 14 entries in the top 50 way back in the glory days of 2005. This year a gristly 3, worse even than last year’s practically indigestible 4.

At least we still have our Heston not only hanging in there with the Fat Duck at #13 but also crashing the party with a second entry in the shape of Dinner at #9, the highest new entry on the list indeed.

Is the UK really a poorer place to eat out than it was in 2005?

Here’s the list in full:

1. Noma – Copenhagen, Denmark
2. El Celler de Can Roca – Girona, Spain
3. Mugaritz – San Sebastian, Spain
4. D.O.M. – Sao Paulo, Brazil
5. Osteria Francescana – Modena, Italy
6. Per Se – New York, USA
7. Alinea – Chicago, USA
8. Arzak – San Sebastian, Spain
9. Dinner by Heston Blumenthal – London, U.K.
10. Eleven Madison Park – New York, USA
11. Steirereck – Vienna, Austria
12. L’Atelier Saint-Germain de Joel Robuchon – Paris, France
13. The Fat Duck – Bray, U.K.
14. The Ledbury – London, U.K.
15. Le Chateaubriand – Paris, France
16. L’Arpege – Paris, France
17. Pierre Gagnaire – Paris, France
18. L’Astrance – Paris, France
19. Le Bernardin – New York, USA
20. Frantzen/Lindeberg – Stockholm, Sweden
21. Oud Sluis – Sluis, Netherlands
22. Aqua – Wolfsburg, German
23. Vendome – Bergisch Gladbach
24. Mirazur – Menton, France
25. Daniel – New York, USA
26. Iggy’s – Singapore
27. Narisawa – Tokyo, Japan
28. Nihonryori RyuGin – Tokyo, Japan
29. Quay – Sydney, Australia
30. Schloss Schauenstein – Fuerstenau, Switzerland
31. Asador Etxebarri – Atxondo, Spain
32. Le Calandre – Padua, Italy
33. De Librije – Zwolle, Netherlands
34. Faeviken – Jaerpen, Sweden
35. Astrid y Gaston – Lima, Peru
36. Pujol – Mexico City, Mexico
37. Momofuku Ssam Bar – New York, USA
38. Biko – Mexico City, Mexico
39. Waku Ghin – Singapore
40. Quique Dacosta – Denia, Spain
41. Mathias Dahlgren – Stockholm, Sweden
42. Hof Van Cleve – Kruishoutem, Belgium
43. The French Laundry – Yountville, USA
44. Amber – Hong Kong, China
45. Vila Joya – Albufeira, Portugal
46. Il Canto – Siena, Italy
47. Bras – Laguiole, France
48. Manresa – Los Gatos, USA
49. Geranium – Copenhagen, Denmark
50. Nahm – Bangkok, Thailand