Archive for the ‘News’ Category

This year our charity golf day has raised over £6,000 for 2 worthwhile local charities. This year we supported Sussex Autistic Society and Worthing Churches Homeless Projects who we have supported for the last 3 years.

The day was perfect an absolute success from my part and all the comments and thanks we have been getting assures me I am not alone with my thoughts!

The day started off with young Jordan Butterfield who suffers from autism teeing off the golf day watched closely by him mum Lindsey and golf coach Gerry from Sussex Golf Academy. Jordan drilled a drive straight down the middle of the fairway and set the standard for the rest of the golfers!

Each team (14) played 18 holes on what was a glorious day, the golf course was fantastic and all the staff at Slinfold Park where wonderful, a special thank you to Alistair, Brad and group director Dominic for helping and supporting our day at Slinfold

When all the golf had finished we got on our open top bus and made the short journey to Eastland’s Estate where we are preferred caterers, the bus journey was amazing, early evening no rain and a nice moment to remember the golf we had played that day!

We were welcomed by my staff at Red Anywhere with our bespoke Red Cosmo Cocktail which went down to well!

I then turned from golf day organiser to Chef and quickly popped on my jacket and check that my Sous Chef Will had everything under control and of course he did….. A real star in the making!

Dinner was served around 8pm with Thai Style Fish Cake to start followed by Rump of Lamb, Fondant Potato and Local Asparagus then to finish it all off we served a Vanilla & Lemon Cheesecake with Lemon Curd and Raspberry Sorbet!

A charity auction followed hosted by Ian Hart who was fantastic and helped get the room going with his humour! We had 8 auction lots and raised over 4.5k. The rest of the money raised was from the daytime challenges and Pimm’s tent at Slinfold.

We all then staggered to our open top bus again and made the journey down the A24 towards Worthing…… what happened next is another story and if you read our blog you will see!!

A huge thank you goes to Sue Stevens and Lindsey Butterfield from both charities who have been a rock throughout organising the event and have supported and helped more than I can ask for and it’s a pleasure raising money for their charities!

Also not forgetting Ian Macara of Bennett Griffin, Geoff Raynsford of 5 Rings Telecom and Claire Love of Local Web Solutions for their support, time and effort in making this the best golf day ever!

Here’s looking forward to next year….. Watch this space!

Thank You

Dan Clarke

On Friday August 1st an open top bus was seen driving through Worthing with a few rowdy people on it that we would like to talk to……!

After a great day of golf at Slinfold Golf Club raising money for 2 local charities and a superb 4 course dinner cooked by Dan Clarke, Master Chef of Great Britain a few of the guests stepped on the open top bus for a ride of a lifetime!

The journey took us from Eastland’s Estate near Billingshurst down the A24 towards Worthing at a steady pace. We enjoyed the views of the passing cars as they tooted their horns maybe admiring our singing….. or not!

There were definitely some contenders for Britain’s NOT got Talent and Pop Idiot!

One of the hooligans said “It was like being at a football match all singing and shouting and generally having  a great time…. reminded me of being a kid again”….. I would think so as his age is nearer 50!

Anyway our journey ended at the Wheatsheaf pub in Richmond Road and I am sure you would of seen or heard us coming if you were anywhere in SUSSEX!

The night finished off with a little night cap at the Sheaf and we all went home and lived happily ever after!

I have been for the past 4 weeks watching the Great British Feast hosted by Marco Pierre White undoubtedly one of the world’s finest chefs and what a programme it was!

It was truly inspirational for me as a chef to see a true legend going back to his roots and searching for the best British ingredients he could find.

Marco spent many of his years cooking classical French cuisine to the highest level you can reach as a chef which is 3 Michelin Stars! He then decided 10 years ago to give it all up and take some time out. He then crossed our path’s last year on Hell’s Kitchen and what a performance that was, a true motivator and full of knowledge and energy it was inspirational!

What I found amazing was that Marco had a clear vision of what he was looking to achieve and create and he went around Britain already knowing what he wanted but was almost looking for reassurance it was their, It was available and most of all it was the best of British.

I as a chef in Sussex think it’s so important to use local and British produce, we are surrounded by the best ingredients and yes sometimes you need to look very deep to get them but they are out there!

We buy all our fish from the boats that go out of Littlehampton, our meat is as local as possible using Sussex Lamb and Game, Our vegetables are local and we even pick our own Strawberry’s & Rhubarb when possible.

The great British Feast is now over but Marco has I believe put a real important point across that if it’s out there and available you can use the best produce which is British….

Well Done Marco….. A True Genius

Red Anywhere’s new kitchens in Littlehampton, West Sussex hosted the final of the Lion’s Den Challenge which is an annual event for young adults from Littlehampton Community School to be put to the test in lots of different scenarios and challenges!

4 Students from Littlehampton School had already completed 3 demanding challenges over the last 3 months and now the school wanted their final test to really test them….. It certainly did!

Sara Hopkins – Community Liaison Manager at Littlehampton School contacted me and asked if i would come up with a challenge for the final test, I thought about it and quickly said yes!

i decided to set them a challenge of creating a Pud for a celebrity that had to have a wow factor, this was quite significant as I had recently had to do the same for R and B Singer Jamelia a couple of weeks ago.

All 4 students had 1 hour to prepare a dessert for 2 people and serve to a panel of judges. The students only had 5 days to do their research and come up with a recipe and then purchase the ingredients and also practise the dish at home!

They were marked on seasonality of ingredients, presentation, flavour, texture and balance and also the way they worked in a commercial kitchen environment!

i have to say they all did very well and the standard was very good as these students were not chefs and some may of not ever cooked a thing in their life! They all stood up to the challenge and all served their puds within the 1 hour time limit…. Phew!

The judges were made up of Me, Editor of the Littlehampton Gazette, Deputy Mayor of Littlehampton and members of Arun District Council…. We deliberated and cogitated and had an extended discussion on the eventual winner.

It was very close and we also had to take into account the last 3 challenges they had all been in, they were not just judged on this challenge but on overall….. First prize was a Laptop and an IPod so a lot at stake!

We eventually decided on a winner and got the students and guests together, I spoke of the standard reached by all the students and how proud they should all be of their efforts, but there could only be 1 winner and that was………..Andrew Sula who created a mouth watering dessert of White Chocolate Mousse with fresh crushed Raspberries set in a White Chocolate Cup and surrounded by a fresh Raspberry Sauce!

Second place went to Rosie Lewis who created an upside down cheesecake which tasted sublime!

Joint third went to 2 lads, Simon Nicholls and Chris Holland-Skinner both did very well and one of the lads even attempted to create a recipe from Gordon Ramsay’s book…… very brave!

Well done to you all and as I said earlier watch out Ramsey, Oliver and Delia!

Dan Clarke

Creative Chef Red Anywhere

Red Anywhere cater for R and B Singer Jamelia & Footballer Darren Byfields Wedding!

The big day was Eastland’s Estate in West Sussex where Red Anywhere are the exclusive caterers. Jamelia and Darren chose to have a very private day with lots of close friends and family invited.

Dan Clarke – Creative Chef was given the task of creating a sumptuous menu for both Jamelia and Darren which included most of their favourite foods!

After the Ceremony the bar team at Red created a bespoke cocktail called The “JD” which did not include Jack Daniels…. but it did include Grey Goose Citrus Vodka, Malibu, Vanilla, Pineapple Juice and Fresh Lime, this was served to all the guests while they gathered on the lawns in front of Eastland’s House.

The guests were then invited into the marquee and sat down to a 4 Course meal…..

To Start – Seared Scallops, Tempura Calamari, Slow Roasted Vine Tomatoes, Tartar Sauce

Main Course – Rump of New Season Lamb, Mint Mash, Fine Ratatouille & a light Balsamic and Thyme Sauce

Bowls of Green Beans and Baby Corn were served on each table

Dessert – Home Made Glazed Lemon Tart, Fresh Raspberries and Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream, Apple Crumble with Vanilla Custard

Coffee and Home Made Fudge

Dan commented on the menu saying “These dishes you would expect to see in a high class restaurant!, producing it for a large amount of guests was intense but very rewarding! The dessert was especially nice as I created this especially for Jamelia and Darren!

You either love it or hate it, I have to say I love it as did many of our guests that sampled it yesterday. We were asked to cater for a corporate company that wanted to take some of their staff out for the afternoon and play games, Drink Pimm’s and eat…. sounds like a good afternoons work!

The Venue was a cut field in Poynings, Near Hove in West Sussex. The surroundings were wonderful and the view was truly amazing which looked right across Devils Dyke and most of Sussex.

We were working with Pretty Clever Events or event partners who managed the event and set up a party marquee for the guests and arranged some entertainment and games for all of the staff to participate in, which they did! We then got down to the serious stuff……… Pimm’s

Red’s Perfect Pimm’s

50ml Pimm’s

4 x large strawberries cut in half

8 x leaves of mint – smashed

8 x slices of cucumber

2 x slices of orange

1/4 red apple – sliced

Lemonade and Cubed Ice

How to build….

1. Put all the fruit into a glass and add the Pimm’s, leave for as long as possible for the fruit and Pimm’s to marinade. The longer the better!!

2. When ready add cubed Ice and then top up with Lemonade.

3. Drink and Enjoy!

Tip…. Make sure you have plenty of fruit in the glass, this is what Pimm’s is all about, Always add ice first otherwise you add to much lemonade and the Pimm’s is too weak!

Our Clients enjoyed the Pimm’s and a few asked for the recipe hence the Blog!

If you have any questions or comments please do let me know

Dan