The Manchester Branch Summer Garden Party.
Sunday 18th August 2013.
A taste of Italy in Oldham
This year the weather was kind for the Branch’s 2013 Garden Party in the garden of our host for the day and Secretary Valerie Hall.
This annual event has always been something of a branch community event with committee members assisted by several branch members in the provision, production, preparation and serving of the lunch.
First on the scene and a welcome sight was EAC Chairman John Legg keeping a quiet watchful eye on events.
On arrival, the members and guests enjoyed a glass of Zellina Rose Spumanti Brut, which was well received and shared with the team in the kitchen, who included ex Branch Chairman David Chapman, arranging the food.
Starting the lunch with attractively laid tables set with plates of antipasti including rich Parma ham, Lombok , Salami, Milano, Salami Napoli and spicy Calabria salami. On the table, olives and dips complimented by flowers by Gillian Cowley...
The scene was created.
To compliment this array, the wine was a Verdicchio di Matellica 2012 Poggio alle Rondini
Members agreed that the course was an excellent start but more was to come.
Bury Market has been the scene of a number of Branch visits in recent times and good connections have been forged which came in useful for Tricia Fletcher to visit one of its best known fishmongers, to procure the Salmon for our next course .
Tricia prepared the Salmon fillets, which had been baked in white wine with a light pesto and cheese crust, and served with Avocado and crème fraiche sauce accompanied by baby new potatoes and an Italian salad. The salads had been prepared by members: Tropez Martin, Pam Lloyd and Helen Marsland.
To accompany this course our Chairman Bob Lloyd, who had selected all the wines, presented Casa Aragona 2012 Salice Salentio.
Being in little Italy for the day we had Italian Cheese and Bread, all selected and provided by the Chairman and his wife, Pam to suit the occasion. The wine with the cheese was Campofiorin 2009 Masi.
Finally, the desert, which enhanced the meal, was an excellent final course of Strawberry and Mint Salsa with a home made Italian Ice Cream. The dish was a team effort of Christine Redman, Judith Adams, making the strawberries and salsa, and Jane Chapman, the ice cream.
Served with excellent 2013 tea or coffee!!
Many thanks were expressed by the committee to all those who helped make the event yet another memorable success for the Branch
Report by Ron Cowley 18.08.2013