Marco Pierre White to cook at Matthew Clark tasting

Marco Pierre White is to don his apron to host a food and wine pairing masterclass at the annual Matthew Clark ‘Discover Love Inspire’ trade tasting on 8 March.

Marco Pierre White will pair ingredients with wines from producers including Ceres, Jean-Luc Colombo and Dr Loosen at the annual Matthew Clark trade tasting at Tobacco Dock (Photo: Adam Fradgley)

The chef and restaurateur will provide a cooking demonstration at the trade tasting, pairing ingredients with Matthew Clark wines from producers including Ceres from Central Otago, Domaine Jean Luc Colombo from the Rhône and Dr Loosen from the Mosel.

The first British chef to earn three Michelin stars, for his Harvey’s restaurant in Wandsworth, White is the owner of franchise restaurant company Black and White Hospitality.

All of his outlets, which include Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Wheeler’s of St James’s, Marco’s New York Italian and Mr White’s English Chophouse, stock Matthew Clark wines.

“I have been working with Matthew Clark for years – they work with an impressive range of producers which are always popular in my restaurants,” White said.

“I look forward to being involved in this dynamic and exciting tasting to showcase how food and wine complement each other.”

Marco Pierre White is one of a host of prestigious restaurateurs that Matthew Clark works with.

In the last 12 months the wine and spirits distributor has grown its portfolio of high-end accounts and has expanded its Wines of Distinction range to meet demand from its top-end on-trade accounts.

In November 2015 The drinks business reported how Matthew Clark had bought high-end hotel group Q hotels from Bibendum PLB. The group includes Conrad St James, Hilton Bankside, Berners Tavern, and a number of Marco Pierre White restaurants which have opened across the country under his Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Wheeler’s of St James’s and New York Italian brands.

In the last year the distributor has seen boutique hotels grow by 12% year on year, quality locals by 21% and top food venues by 12%.

Matthew Clark national accounts managing director, Kenny Gray, said: “It’s such an honour to have Marco Pierre White join us at Discover Love Inspire this year demonstrating the versatility of some of our favourite wines.

“The event is going to be our biggest showcase yet with lots of new lines to try – over 30% of the wines on show are new additions to the portfolio.

“Demand for quirkier grape varieties and regions along with appetites for smaller producers has really shaped up our wine offering over the last 12 months and we’re in a better position than ever before to be able to exclusively cater for top-end premium accounts.”

Matthew Clark’s annual Discover, Love, Inspire trade tasting takes place from 11am to 5.30pm on 8 March at Tobacco Dock in Wapping, east London.

The Marco Pierre White session will take place from 12-12.45pm. He will then be available for book signing from 11.30am to 12pm and 12.45 to 1.30pm.

Trade members can register for the event here.