It's been almost two weeks since the Nigerian Japanese dining event and every time I think about it, I get the biggest smile on my face because it was just. that. good. For a bit of context, check out my previous post here where I share a behind-the-scenes look at a day of cooking and recipe try-outs with my collaborator, Keiko.
Keiko, also known as Sushi Queen, is a London-based Japanese chef with several years of cooking and workshopping experience. We met at an Airbnb event earlier this year and did the thing all foodies do when they connect: talk about food. And also the possibility of collaborating. Et voila! We made it happen.
On Monday 15th July, we met up to go shopping for ingredients. Luckily we live in the same neighbourhood and have a thriving shopping area right on a doorstep, but gosh did we do a lot of walking and carrying. My smart watch clocked over 10,000 steps that day. Let's just say it was a win-win for our productivity and my personal health and fitness.
Then bright and early on Tuesday 16th we got to work prepping for the dinner. We flipped dorayakis and chopped sushi vegetables and stuffed gyozas until we were blue in the face. Well, actually, I exaggerate. We gave ourselves so much time to prep and we knew our menu inside-out that it all went by in a breeze. It wasn't until we got to the venue and it dawned on us just how many sushi rolls we had to make that the frantic energy properly kicked in. Thankfully, we had two amazing helpers on the night - Betty and Natasha - to assist with set-up, service and clear-up. We would have been lost without them. Somehow, with these events, I always underestimate how much help will be needed. Keiko and I would have gone it alone if these two actual angels hadn't offered, and the night would probably not have gone as well as it did. Their presence was another reminder for me: when in doubt, ask for help!
All our guests showed up and things properly kicked off around 7pm. Keiko and I barely came up for air during service as we rolled sushi and plated like our lives depended on it. At the very end though came the sweet spot: we could slow down enough to chat with some our guests and receive their glowing feedback. I don't know about Keiko, but I was absolutely living for it. Tiredness forgotten, sore limbs ignored, everything is perfect kind of living for it. To read a couple of such guest reviews, head over to Instagram or Facebook.
Will there be another edition of this fusion dinner? I don't see why not! We're even toying with the idea of a sushi-making class next time. As always, stay tuned for all future event news by subscribing to my newsletter or following online.
Sadly no video footage of the event, but I've got some great snaps to share of the food.
Starter: kombu and miso moin moin; sweet plantain gyoza; spiced yam gyoza; miso-glazed grilled yam.
Sushi selection: jolly sushi with marinated tofu, okra, edamame and sweetcorn; eba inari; plantain and pickled ginger temaki; roasted red pepper and cucumber uramaki.
Dessert: yam flour Dorayaki with azuki bean paste, coconut cream, matcha and fresh mango.
Drinks: matcha-watermelon-mint punch; pineapple-lime punch.
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| Photo credit: @emisgoodeating |
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| Photo credit: @emisgoodeat |
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| Photo credit: @emisgoodeating |
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| Photo credit: @emisgoodeating |
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