The week in pictures

Team db made it to the launch of Beronia’s first “Txoko” (Pronounced chock-oh) in London’s Old Street on Tuesday – a Spanish cooking club in which men, traditionally, gathered to cook, eat and drink wine. Hosted by the Food@52 cooking school and chefs Flip and Hoops from Main Ingredient, the night saw guests don aprons, berets and the ladies, fake moustaches, and put to work cooking up a Spanish feast over more than a few glasses of Beronia Rioja.

After an hour or so spent toiling in the kitchen, our crack cooking team enjoyed the spoils of our efforts settling down to a dinner of dishes including chicken with cous cous and peppers, clams, homemade meatballs, lentil salad and spanish tortilla – all washed down with some Beronia Rioja.  A host of Beronia Txoko events are taking place throughout the summer. For more information on how to get involved click here.

Suffolk-based brewer and distiller Adnams welcomed more than 60,000 honey bees this week after its distribution site at Reydon was identified as a safe and healthy home for the rescued bees. The population of bees worldwide is currently in decline and Adnams is keen to utilise its distribution site as much as possible for natural conservation enlisting the help of local bee keeper Steve Barrett to look after the bees. Their home is situated in the site of a former gravel pit and the hives have been positioned in a sheltered, south-facing area.

French President François Hollande chose to present President Xi Jinping of China with a cased decanter of CAMUS Cognac, during his recent state visit to France, to mark 50 years of French-Chinese relations. The 1964 “one-off” bottle of vintage Cognac, produced by the 150 year-old, independent family-run House of CAMUS, was selected from its private collection having matured for years in oak casks. Its crystal decanter was crafter by Baccarat and its case by a French master cabinetmaker from French wood.

Amanda Ponsonby, of Mr Trotters, set up shop at The Great British Menu’s Emily Watkins Kingham Plough pub in Kingham in Oxfordshire last weekend, selling Mr Trotter’s Pork Crackling and his chestnut ale to its thirsty punters.

Cyril Brun. Photo credit: Colin Hampden-White

Veuve Clicquot senior winemaker Cyril Brun lead a tasting in London this week of the brand’s Yellow Label in bottles and magnums to highlight the positive impact of a larger format on Champagne quality and maturation.

Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. Photo credit: Colin Hampden-White

The Veuve tasting took place at Aqua on the 32nd floor of the Shard, thankfully on a day when the sun was shining.

Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin (pronounced o-peer) has launched its first UK mobile Tuk Tuk bar inspired by its exotic spiced gin bottle design. The Opihr Oriental Spiced Gin Tuk Tuk was imported from India, re-designed to include a bespoke cocktail bar, and decorated by Spanish artist, Andi Rivas. Look out for it at festivals across the UK and at on- and off-trade tastings throughout the year where guests will be able to enjoy an Opihr Gin & Tonic with fresh ginger or a Opihr & Ginger Ale.

The St Mawes Classic Car Festival, sponsored by Champagne Thiénot, kicked off this week with a reception at the Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall where hotelier Olga Polizzi hosted an evening of drinks and entertainment overlooking the region’s stunning coastline. Guests included David Richards CBE, former Chairman of the luxury car brand Aston Martin. The four-day classic car festival, which concludes today, sees dozens of classic car enthusiasts take part in a road trip across Cornwall enjoying a series of luxury pitstops taking in evening entertainment. 

Jamie Cullum

Musician Jamie Cullum and British soul singer Laura Mvula were just two of the artists to take to the stage at the Henry Westons VIP acoustic stage at this years Cheltenham Jazz Festival this week. Against a backdrop of hay bales, traditional cider-making equipment and authentic cider barrels, the stage showcased some of the star performers of the festival as well emerging artists.

Laura Mvula

Known for hosting a mix of international jazz icons and up-and-coming new artists, more than 20,000 music fans attend the festival each year. Other attractions at the event, held in Montpelier Gardens in Cheltenham, included a feast of free outdoor music, a selection of food and drink stalls and fun family activities.

Champagne Taittinger and Villa Maria, the official Champagne and wine partners to BAFTA, were on hand to provide the drinks at the Bafta nominee party this week. Actress Claire Rushbrook (pictured), nominated for her role in Channel 4’s My Mad Fat Diary, was just one of the guests attending.

Photo credit: Hugo Bernand / Tatler.

Champagne Laurent-Perrier presented chef Pierre Koffmann with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the twelfth annual Tatler Restaurant Awards this week. Justin Pinchbeck, general manager of The Berkeley, collected the award on behalf of Pierre Koffman, which was presented by David Hesketh MW, MD of Laurent-Perrier UK.  The awards were presented in the Ballroom at the Savoy on London on 6 May by Jeremy Wayne, Tatler’s Restaurant Editor.