made PS for chef's table!

[nbandfour]

I can't believe it but I got a spot at the chef's table at V & A! Would someone who has done it before walk me through what to expect? Is the meal really customized to your individual tastes? I want to know ALL.

Thanks,
NB

 

[Cheshire Figment]

It is not actually customized. You will be greeted by the Chef and brought into the kitchen. At this time there will be a champagne toast and the bottle will remain at the table. You will be asked if you have any allergies or if there is anything you cannot eat.

Basically you will receive almost everything that is on that day's menu. Usually the Chef will come to you at each course and explain what is in each dish. At some time you may be visited by a couple of Mice, make sure you have a camera with you.

You may be surprised that there are only five people working in the kitchen. The cook nearest you is running the grill. Next (and facing him) is the cook who is handling the hot appetizers. There is one person handling the salads and cold appetizers. There is a Pastry Chef. The Chef keeps an eye on evefrything and does the plating of the food.

You will find that you can talk to the staff as long as you are not interfering with their work. Since the seatings are over about a 45 minute period, for example the Grill Chef will not actually have to start cooking until the first people are done with their appetizers. Likewise, we were able to walk around and take pictures, again making sure we did not interfere. When the Mice showed up, either our Victoria or Albert used our camera to take pictures. At the end of the meal we were able to get pictures taken of us with all of the kitchen staff. Also, the kitchen staff all signed out menus.

We got there at 6:00 and left sometime shortly after 10:00. By that time the regullar second seating was well under way.

 

[webray]

Not customized..more like you get small portions of quite a few of the things on the menu for that night. You get to watch the chefs in action, talk with them if they have time. We enjoy the chefs table much more than the regular dining room.

 

[meuseman]

I would disgree with the customized comments. When DW and I were there for our honeymoon, our introduction with the chef involved a discussion about what we liked and didn't like and any allergies. DW told the chef that she was pretty picky and didn't really eat exotic things. I, on the other hand, would eat anything in front of me. DW also mentioned that she only likes things well done.

Each of our courses was something that was on the menu that night. However, the chef served DW less exotic dished, while I got more interesting items. For example, I got a Braised Quail dish, which DW would never have eaten. Instead, she got a crab dish.

The chef also made sure that everything DW received was well done, including the Pork Tenderloin and the Kobe Beef. He went out of his way to make the meal special for each of us, but a little different too.

I know you will love it.

 

[nbandfour]

Uh-oh, now I'm a little concerned. Sorry to say, dh and I are pretty much food snobs. It was the customization that intrigued us, not the quantity, or even the "haute" of the cuisine. I was picturing telling the chef that I love oysters, lamb, foie gras, chocolate, and intensely flavored dishes, but dislike duck, meat with fruit, liqueurs, and I'm allergic to honey. Then seeing what he came up with. Should I still go, or cancel?

NB

 

[MAGGIED]

Go - it will be a wonderful experience!!!!

 

[BCV23]

Well, if you tell the chef your dislikes, you won't get those things.

If you tell him that list of preferences, I'm sure you'll get intensely flavored dishes and chocolate if you like. But I would think oysters, lamb and foie gras would depend on what he had to work with that night. Since you are a food snob, I'm sure you wouldn't want a can of oysters to be opened to fit your list.

If you enjoy great food, go. If you want to design your own meal, I think I'd cook my own.

But if you decide to go, will you let us know about your experience? We did the chef's table once and had a great meal and wonderful experience.