Saatchi

Who do you get to approve your advertising proposals? Back in1997 we were looking at advertising on the radio and Charles Saatchi was in for dinner, and read over the proposed radio Ad, and left his comment (see above).

Seasonal Activities: Foraging for Morel

Jean Pierre explains how to forage for Morels (Morilles)

Jean Pierre: My family have always been picking mushrooms in the Hautes Pyrenees Mountains with my father in the village of Auzat. Then with my Aunt Rosa in Montpezat de Quercy, mainly foraging for all types of mushrooms nothing specific. I was brought along because i was the smallest one and could get under the bushes.

In February and March is the best time to look for Morels, especially after a good frost. You are most likely to come across them where there are horse tracks, manure piles, wood barks, they are open forest mushrooms. The Picture above shows what they look like, i describe them as a big sponge on top of a stem. There is a false Morel which looks more gelatinous than the common Morel but it isn't very good. I can't really explain what Morels taste like, they are very light and go well in cream sauce and with poultry. You can also dry them if you want to preserve them, they last about a year when dried.

WARNING there are some mushrooms you can only eat once, so make sure you show them to some one who knows what they are.

Bicycle Race

Jean Pierre Story: Bicycle race along the Avon canal organised by myself. It was a one off because we lost so many bicycles in the canal and contestants to the pubs along the way. There was also allot of singing in French and kissing girls.

Bastille Day 1980's

Beaujolais used to organise a huge party for Bastille Day, for those who don't know that takes place on the 14th of July. The Parties that took place were imfamous.

For the food we just used to severe up barbecued steaks and brochettes. And LOTS of alchol.

Some amusing stories. We got banned from the Bath race course because Jean Pierre went to a friends chicken farm and got loads of bags of feathers and thought it would be a great idea to scatter the feathers at midnight like confetti. The next morning the feathers had blown all over the race course.

One year Phillipe bought fireworks, and he decided to set them off from the small flat roof above the washing up area in the restaurant. Only trouble was he had put the mortar upside down so the fireworks went through the washing up roof , through the washing up room and up through the floor. And bits of roof floated down into every bodies glasses.

Sedan and Chair Race 1976

Jean Pierre Story: Scorching summer, great atmosphere. Beaujolais team arrived fifth because we went through shops and many other scenic route we weren't allowed to go through.

Coming through Queen Square. I am in the far right back ground in a tuxedo jacket and pink shorts I was meant to be a fly to accompany the frog.

Lovely friends.

Wall of Fame

Since we don't have a wall in the restaurant dedicated to photos of the owner posing with famous people who have eaten in the restaurant like some other restaurants might have. I thought I would put up a picture on the blog.

Fun Fact. When Daniel Craig had come to eat he booked under the name James Bond.

Jean Pierre Story: Paul McCartney is a vegetarian and used to buy onion soup by the gallon for the photographic society. And bet me twenty five pounds on the french rugby game every year, and I only won once.