Well, that was a fantastic end to the football league season, wasn’t it? Now, I know that there are those of you already rolling your eyes. Not everyone hangs on the football results every week, but more do than don’t, so please indulge us for a couple of minutes. Wimbledon got promoted, Charlton got promoted, Tottenham won the Europa League, Arsenal won the Women’s Champion League, Chelsea are to play in Conference League final this week and, of course, my own beloved Crystal Palace won the FA Cup! I have been following Crystal Palace since 1969, and, as has been well publicised, this is our first major trophy. Of course we are going to milk it, and if we can keep the big clubs away from our amazing squad, maybe next season will bring more fun. Well done London clubs. Still the greatest City in the world.
As mentioned last month, we will have New Season Lamb in all of the shops from Wednesday 28 th May. Interestingly, more or less exactly the same time as last year. Paddy tells me that the Lambs are looking at their best, and he is assuring me the finest quality.
New Season Lamb does divide opinion. Again, I wrote last month that I love the flavour and textures of slightly older lamb, but there is no doubt that NS lamb is a culinary delight, and an opportunity to taste the wonderful, pure flavours that it brings. Usually at this time of year, the Chefs and restaurants will be buzzing with new recipes, and they will clamour for young, spring vegetables to go with it. Mrs Grout brought home Jersey Royal, New Potatoes last week. I served them boiled, and I trimmed the new leaves from the mint bush to garnish. Very delicious.
Much of our lamb comes from the West Country, and we mostly buy the whole carcass, so we have whichever cut suits your menu, or taste. For a few months, lamb needs all but no additions. Cook simply and enjoy the delicate flavour. Serve the cooking juices to the dinner plate and maybe a little Cranberry Sauce on the side. Please don’t blanket the meat with garlic. It’s dreadful. The fun starts this week.
I want to introduce you to our Course and Events Team. Both of them!! Craig Martin joined Meat London in 2018. He married my niece, and he seemed like a capable fellow. So, we pressed the ‘King’s Shilling’ into his hand and now he has grown to be our General Manager. Originally, Craig was asked to improve and advance our in-house courses. He had no catering background, but he easily took to the BBQ, and he has proved himself to be a very good cook. Our Courses, both in-house and outside, go from strength to strength. Liz O’Mally joined Craig in 2024. Liz had been working in one of my local pubs, and Craig was very enthusiastic when she came for her interview. Liz is a delight to have around the business and not a single course passes without our guests heaping praise on her.
As a duo, Craig and Liz run our Weber Grill Academy every Friday and Saturday, they have a programme of Meat London Events running alongside and our ever growing reputation brings more and more requests for private and corporate events. We fit in as many as we can in the charming Meat N16 Garden. We try not to have too many rules. Every Event considers the request of the customer, and what they want their own Event to look like. We use the meat and ingredients from the shop, including snipping away at Fay’s Herb Garden, and the garden is fully licensed. We have a lovely selection of beers from our friends at Lost & Grounded and we have a huge, eclectic selection of wines from around the world. Either as an individual guest, joining our friendly groups, or as a larger gathering on a private event, a day with our team is a day we can guarantee you will not forget.
We also do ‘home visits’ in any form. A family BBQ, a fully catered Hog Roast, or the rental of equipment, we have something for every occasion. As no two Events are ever the same, it takes a little time, and enthusiastic conversation, to work out what suits the customer best, but from a cost effective small gathering to a more flamboyant party, we can cater for all tastes and flexible numbers.
There wouldn’t be enough space here to write about all of our courses individually. However, a visit to the website will help with explanations and costs. Craig and Liz are always available to speak on the phone or, better still, come in to meet them and get shown around.
Learn moreAs I finish, I have an interesting date for the diary. I make little secret of how proud I am of all of the young people that pass through our business on their way to forging their own lives and careers. So, I was very pleased this week to see that our very first ‘Saturday Girl’, from 2013, Ella Clayton, will be performing at the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden on Tuesday 19th August. Ella has a beautiful, soulful voice and along with others on the bill, will give us a lovely evening. Tickets are £18, so let’s all be there to support one of our own.
Happy June.
