• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

MsMarmiteLover

  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
  • Travel
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • UK
  • Wine
  • Gardens
  • Supperclubs/Events
  • About
    • Press
    • Books
  • Shop
    • Cart

Media appearances ha! and Notes about forthcoming dates at The Underground Restaurant

July 6, 2010 12 Comments Filed Under: Uncategorized

MsMarmitelover in her lair. Pic:Elisabeth Blanchet

Tonight I will be on BBC2 ‘How to beat tough times’ at 8pm. I was on Radio 4’s The Food Programme this weekend with Tim Hayward. Here you can ‘Listen Again’. He was exploring the links between a 1930s supperclub in Hampstead, at the Isokon building (built in the constructivist style) with Agatha Christie and other leading lights, with supperclubs in today’s London. The Isobar supperclub was experimental with food, also determined to keep dinners affordable and designed to promote interaction between intellectuals and artists. When I set up The Underground Restaurant in January 2009, I intended it to be a salon for ideas, and a place where the food promotes discussion. In the past we’ve had one dinner called The Conversationalist where possible topics of conversation were written on the place mats; my theme dinners such as the Elvis, Patrick O’Brian, Harry Notter, Edible Flower menus, and Umami night with a ‘mother’s milk’ course, surely provoked comment between diners. The Midnight feast with an all black menu, starting at midnight with guests in pyjamas and hair rollers, some carrying teddy bears, was another noteworthy occasion.
We’ve got some interesting dates coming up with the Comedy club in my living room as a particularly exciting innovation! How will stand-up comedy fare in the intimacy of the home?
14th July/ Bastille Day: I will be doing a classic French menu fixe finishing with a ‘piece montée’, a croquembouche, which traditionally finished off feasts in pre-revolutionary France. So this dinner, accompanied by an accordeonist, will bear traces of the ancienne regime as well as the institution that emerged from the revolution: the restaurant itself, which derives from the bouillon, the ‘restaurant’, a restorative soup. This date has even been noted by ‘Serge the concierge’.
15th of August: Ferragosto: also known as The feast of the Assumption. This lunch will be celebrating the virgin. I will be sourcing and researching ingredients and dishes connected to her; in fact almost anything with the word ‘mary’ in it has associations with the Virgin Mary…rosemary, marigold… and I’ve ordered a mould of her image, just in case she doesn’t spontaneously make an appearance, say, on a grilled cheese sandwich….
21st of August: no theme just yet…but dinner with seasonal ingredients…I’m thinking Italy and fresh pasta…
8th of September: Josie Long the comedienne will be hosting a stand-up dining night…you will be sitting down however… This is the first of a series of comedy supperclubs, laughs in the living room…where both established and emerging comic talents will be performing between courses. The food will be a joke obviously.
19th of September: the second UK Underground Farmers Market. The first was a tremendous success with 40 stalls and 200 people, cooking demos, a bonfire, a cocktail bar on an ironing board, a bar in a bathtub, the homemade goods of several supperclubs, crafts too. This time we start earlier, at midday, so people can buy foods for lunch. There will be live music and more cooking demos…
If you’d like to do a stall of your home-made goods, or do a demo, please get in touch [email protected] I particularly want to encourage first timers.
The weekend after I’m going to Paris, to visit French supperclubs such as the Hidden Kitchen and Jim Haynes.
2nd October: A late harvest festival, offerings from my Aga. I’m thinking Oktoberfest, pretzels and beer?
9th October: Dinner.
16th October: Dinner, but it’s getting to the mushroom season so will go out foraging.
13th November: a revolutionary dinner… inspired by Russia…anyone know where I can get cheap caviar?
More dates will be up soon…teas, brunches and lunches….

Recent posts

Book for my first supper club since the pandemic: Midsummer

May 19, 2022

caponata budget gourmet recipe pic: Kerstin Rodgers

Two delicious budget recipes for the cost of living crisis

May 13, 2022

budget gourmet recipes pic Kerstin Rodgers

Cost of living crisis: three gourmet dinner party recipes that serve 4, for around £2.50

May 6, 2022

Previous Post: « Wallflower at the orgy
Next Post: A machine for dining: The Paramount »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. James

    July 6, 2010 at 12:45 pm

    Heard the food prog piece yesterday – sounded great fun, was wondering when they were going to get to you =)

    Josie Long? How do you do it.

    Reply
  2. Serge Lescouarnec

    July 6, 2010 at 1:35 pm

    Dear Ms Lover

    Thanks for mentioning 'Serge the Concierge'.
    We are planning a 'Grilling with the Girls' Video on Bastille Day.
    Girls will not take the Bastille, they will take the grill over.

    Serge
    'The French Guy from New Jersey'

    Reply
  3. MsMarmitelover

    July 6, 2010 at 1:39 pm

    Serge! I have family in New Jersey…but they are Scottish American.
    Shouldn't it be 'guillotining with the girls'?

    Reply
  4. Miss Lenoir and Miss Fairplay

    July 6, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    Wow! So many exciting things coming up. We'd love to visit you over the summer. The farmer's and craft's market day sounds particularly exciting since both Miss Lenoir and myself are creatives…who love a good cocktail!
    Hope to meet you very soon.

    Miss Fairplay & Miss Lenoir

    Reply
  5. MsMarmitelover

    July 6, 2010 at 4:52 pm

    James: thanks….
    Miss Lenoir and Miss Fairplay: would be great if you could do a stall at the farmers market. But think more widely than cupcakes because we had a surfeit of sweet stuff last time. We will need some however.

    Reply
  6. Choclette

    July 6, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Was good to hear you on Food Programme on Sunday – you did well. Just tried iplayer to see what's going on in the world of TV, but it's not up yet.

    Reply
  7. Plum Kitchen

    July 6, 2010 at 9:11 pm

    Listened to the podcast on Monday, my husband has decided I am officially a stalker, (I call it reasearch)……think he is just pissy about the apron he has to wear for the supperclub. Am inspired to make my next event a glam thirties evening,(with me in long vintage frock hiding my sneakers…) if only Ms Christie were attending…. The upcoming events look great, love the variety, although dont know how you do it every week….

    Reply
  8. Anonymous

    July 6, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    Really pleased to hear you're holding another underground farmer's market – couldn't make the last one but will defo and try and make it this time.

    Reply
  9. Nadya -

    July 7, 2010 at 7:36 am

    I love the name of your blog – I live in Madrid and I get so tired of all the insults about British food! I found your blog after listening to the food programme, only wish I was living the UK so I could come to one of your fabulous suppers! Keep up th good work 🙂

    Reply
  10. The Curious Cat

    July 7, 2010 at 2:09 pm

    wicked! Sounds like things are really taking off for you – and rightly so! Just been scrolling down – some amazing food going on here! Will have to come and visit again soon! xxx

    Reply
  11. theundergroundrestaurant

    July 10, 2010 at 5:58 am

    Nadya: that's exactly it! I lived for seven years in France and I got sick of the jibes about jam on our steak ect.

    Reply
  12. theundergroundrestaurant

    July 10, 2010 at 5:59 am

    Feeding boys: hope to see you then!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Serge Lescouarnec Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

MsMarmiteLover aka Kerstin Rodgers.

Chef, photographer, author, journalist, blogger. Pioneer of the supperclub movement.

This is my food and travel blog, with recipes, reviews and travel stories. I also stray into politics, feminism, gardening.

Subscribe to my mailing list

msmarmitelover

Kerstin Rodgers/MsMarmiteLover
I’ve taken down the previous post as it’s poor I’ve taken down the previous post as it’s poor timing considering what’s happened over the last 24 hours. Being British I’ve not grown up around guns. It’s interesting to be on this course and find out more about the reality of them, although my focus is learning the ‘golden triangle’ of first aid, communications and navigation. But at the same time It’s depressing how in America nothing will ever change regarding gun law. RIP.
Me as a punk. #pinkhair @caplanmelissa Me as a punk. #pinkhair @caplanmelissa
Sniffin’ glue: Me n @Jaybladesmbe at the Loctite Sniffin’ glue: Me n @Jaybladesmbe at the Loctite pop up yesterday. I’m all about repairing and upcycling my brocante finds: this time a beautiful pale wood lamp shade stand which had broken off at the bottom. I’m going to rewire it with 2 core sky blue twisted fabric wire, pop on my hand sewn pleated lampshade I learnt to do @workshopminerva and it shall be beautiful. Don’t chuck out your chintz: repair it! #therepairshop #selfie #interiors #popup
in June I’m having my first supper club in two y in June I’m having my first supper club in two years: here is the link to book: https://msmarmitelover.com/product/midsommar-supper-club £50 18th June  Saturday night. Byo.
#chelseaflower coming up. Last year I bought these succulents and planted them in a vintage zinc garden sieve. Now they are flowering. My balcony is like a little greenhouse: I can grow aubergines & other plants that usually need to be under glass. #londongarden #may #plants #succulents in the garden
Lemon drizzle cake. The trick is not to stint on t Lemon drizzle cake. The trick is not to stint on the citrus. I used 7: 2 Italian lemons (from Lidl):some ordinary lemons and some limes (18p) at Lidl. Don’t be afraid to mix and match your citrus. I also used buttermilk from @fenfarmdairy in Suffolk from their honesty shop. Last night we ate it still warm from the oven. #cake #lemondrizzle #homebaking #citrus #buttermilk
A Simple tomato, goats cheese and basil salad, spa A Simple tomato, goats cheese and basil salad, spanking fresh asparagus / fried in olive oil, season, then add a little boiling water, not too much, put on the lid, dressed with lemon zest & Parmesan, @fenfarmdairy baron bigod cheese, good bread. This is how I like to eat. Claire’s plates found at the beccles brocante. #suffolk #suffolkfood #supper #dinnerwithfriends  #vintageplates
Can’t wait to see what they will be like when th Can’t wait to see what they will be like when they are fired. All my favourite themes: gingham and scallops. Thanks to @clairebelljar for a wonderful weekend and pottery workshop. Such fun! #workingwithyourhands #playtime #creativity #ceramics #pottery #suffolk
Making plates with talented potter & old South Ham Making plates with talented potter & old South Hampstead girl @clairebelljar in Suffolk. She has the most beautiful house I’ve ever seen. Such a joy to be reunited with her. #friendsreunited #makers #potters #scalloped #wildflowers #cowparsley #pottery
Another budget gourmet recipe, the Sicilian capona Another budget gourmet recipe, the Sicilian caponata, which is like a more interesting ratatouille, in which you add capers, olives & vinegar. £2.50p. I was asked to develop a series of recipes which were delicious enough to serve at a dinner party but also cheap. I shopped at Lidl. #costoflivingcrisis #budgetgourmet #recipe #vegetarian #vegan #lidluk
Mackerel pâté, a recipe that cost under £2.50. Mackerel pâté, a recipe that cost under £2.50. Lemon & herb smoked mackerel fillets from @lidl (take off skin)3 big scoops creme fraiche from Lidl and juice of half a lemon. Blend. Plenty of black pepper. Serve with bread. #budgetgourmet #costoflivingcrisis #eatorheat
Just wrote a very personal piece for @hamandhigh o Just wrote a very personal piece for @hamandhigh on my decade as a single parent on benefits, how I learned to cook & how things are so much harder now because not only are ingredients pricier but the cost of cooking them is too. 3 budget gourmet meals serving 4, for £2.50 each. #costoflivingcrisis #budgetgourmet #povertyshame #singleparents #foodblogger
Easter Sunday. Daffodil skeletons. Easter Sunday. Daffodil skeletons.
Just made @davidlebovitz recipe for blood orange u Just made @davidlebovitz recipe for blood orange upside down cake as I had some to use up. It tastes very marmeladey. Probably used too deep a pan. #sundaybaking #recipe #thelastofthebloodoranges #april #easter
Today learning how to build a dry stone wall in t Today  learning how to build a dry stone wall in the cotswolds which is famous for the picturesque walls & hedgerows. My teacher, Richard Gray, told us about the different stones: face, foundation, pin & coping. It is a mortal ( mortar?) sun to use cement on a dry stone wall- it means the stones can’t breathe. These walls last 100 years- they cost £300 a metre. A pro can build 3 metres a day. Richard once did a quote for kylie Minogue. His firm is Hillrise stonework. This course is run by @notgroveholidays There is a world championship for drystone walling. #craft #building #drystonewall #cotswolds #staycation
Ukrainian inspiration: cabbage rolls stuffed with Ukrainian inspiration: cabbage rolls stuffed with rice, mushrooms, garlic, dill. Baked with sauerkraut & mushroom stock for 1.5 hours. Delicious comfort food. #cookforukraine #vegetarian #cabbagerolls #sauerkraut #easterneuropeanfood
Getting there. Making a pleated lampshade for @sie Getting there. Making a pleated lampshade for @siennamarla’s living room. Fabric from @clothshoplondon training by @workshopminerva frame #making #craft #sewing #lampshade #interiors
Stuffed peppers with roasted buckwheat, feta, dill Stuffed peppers with roasted buckwheat, feta, dill and a sour cream, tomato & smoked paprika sauce. Kasha or buckwheat can be bought at polish shops. It’s a grain but full of protein. I did a recipe with it in v is for vegan - a stuffed cabbage. You can buy plain or roasted. #cookforukraine #buckwheat #kasha #stuffedpeppers #vegetarian #visforvegan
Ukrainian quick cucumber pickles dipped in honey. Ukrainian quick cucumber pickles dipped in honey. Strangely addictive. Recipe from next weeks column in the ham and high. #cookforukraine #supperclub #slavaukraini #pickles #dronedowner #ukraine #recipe
An etched glass window in my bathroom to replace t An etched glass window in my bathroom to replace the very fashionable fluted glass I had. Thing is this glass works better in a flat dated 1906. Glass by @baronglass  #interiors #etchedglass #bathroom #trellis #londonflat
Making Ukrainian Easter bread, with sour cherries Making Ukrainian Easter bread, with sour cherries and saffron, adapted from a recipe in Mamushka by Ukrainian chef @oliahercules #slavaukraini #easter #baking #sour #sourcherries #supperclub
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Archives

Copyright © 2022 msmarmitelover