Hampstead Social

This is Social branch of The Hampstead Kitchen

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Jay Rayner samples The Hampstead Kitchen food

Its not every day London top food critics get to try our food. We had no idea when we were supporting the charity he was the patron along with Allegra McEvedy along with Jack Monroe.

All 3 came in the kitchen to lend a hand, it was also very sweet when they realised I was also fasting and mentioned that in the thank you speech and I think people were surprised i had made all this food without even trying it

It was an experience I won't forget along with raised over £6k for the charity it was truly a treat to have Jay try our food and enjoying it, so much so that he even came for seconds.

This is the lovely blog written by The Food Chain guys about the evening.

http://www.foodchain.org.uk/about-us/latest-news/summer-social-at-the-food-chain/

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Interfaith Iftar - hosted by Alyth Synagogue July 2014

Ramadan Kareem

I had the pleasure to be invited to a truly special evening hosted by Alyth Synagogue. The synagogue was the first of its kind to open it doors to host an Iftar (sunset meal during Ramadan ) for muslims.

We were immediately greeted with so much warm and love it was truly overwhelming and beautiful to be a part of.

What is the Big Iftar

The Big Iftar encourages community centres, public places, places of worship to host an iftar and welcome friends and neighbours.

This year so many places of worship like churches, mosques & synagogues are hosting Iftar and welcoming their local Community.

The Evening

The reoccurring theme through the evening was of peace and commonality and how blessed we are in Britain that Jews & Muslims work together and have good relationship. As the Rabbi pointed one this needs to continue to grow and one we cannot take for granted.

The amazing Speakers

Rabbi Maurice (Executive Committee of the Interfaith Network of the UK)

Stephen William MP (Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.)

Laura Marks (The Board of Deputies of British Jews

Mustafa Field (Faiths Forum for London) Julie Siddique (Vice President of the Islamic Society of Britain) 

Tree of life, there is even a pomegranate in there. The scriptures were behind this lovely door.

The fast broke at 9:18pm, our host had respected our rituals and had made every arrangement to ensure we broke our fast with dates, water and fruit juices. They even had a designated space for all of us to offer our Magrib prayers. I was blown away with such respect and love that was shown.

The Rabbi made a prayer and broke the challah bread and were served a delicious warm & hearty soup made lovingly by the Jackie & her team

There was a beautiful spread of Mezze, fruit and even the traditional Fish balls.

We were encouraged to go around and speak to as many people. Meeting people from all walks of life who simply came as the message of peace is even more important due to recent events. 

Rabbi emphases how Jew & Muslim are similar and why we must continue to build strong link with one another. This resonated really well amongst all the guests.

New friendships were created and old one made stronger, this was a truly special evening and as a British muslim I felt incredibly proud to be born and bought up here, where all faiths are respected and where we are given freedom to practise our faith. The effect of the evening lasted well beyond the evening and will stay with me for while.

Rabbi Maurice Michaels showing the scrolls and showing how these are read and used

Handwritten by a turkey feather, this was a fresh scroll, was so beautiful to see one.

H

Hosts & Guests, I was hiding behind the Rabbi in the middle

Why not find out what events are being held near you and attend an Iftar. The Hampstead Kitchen is hosting on this Saturday 12th July, for more details about this sociala and socials from the past go to Hampstead Social

More Information about the Big Iftar : http://www.thebigiftar.org.uk/

Promo Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLrbA0CF4Q4

Twitter: @TheBigIftar

Ramadan Kareem, have a blessed month.

Peace & Blessings

Saima 

The Hampstead Kitchen 

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ARABESQUE IFTAR - 12th July - 9pm

Join us for an Arabesque Iftar at

 The Hampstead Kitchen on Saturday 12th July. Time 9pm to 12pm Iftar is the meal eaten by muslims after sunset during the month of Ramadan.  The Iftar for that evening will break at 9:17pm, therefore food will be served at this time.  Yes its a late evening meal but we wanted to open this up for non muslims too so they can experience this beautiful meal.

When, where and what time? Date: Saturday 12th July 2014 Time: 9pm Iftar time : 9:17pm

Venue: The Hampstead Kitchen - NW6 Food Setting: Arabesque floor seating Dress Code: Stretchy Pants, Something comfortable as we will be sitting on the floor.

  Tickets

There will be only 20 tickets for this event.  Open to all muslims & non muslims, first come first serve basis Please email to book your place at [email protected]

There is no tickets for this event, however we do ask all our guest to make a minimum donation of £30 a head all proceeds going to  The PennyAppeal  each ticket will feed 30 orphans during the month of Ramadhan.

Check for full details here

Hope to see you there

With Peace & Blessings in this blessed month

The Hampstead Kitchen

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There is sincerer love than the love of food - George Bernard Shaw

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Arabesque evening with The Hampstead Kitchen

Saturday 12th July 9pm - Iftar time (breaking of fast)

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Hello there.... sorry we know its' been a while

Hi guys, hope you are all well. We have been busy with events, weddings, pop up, collaboration and expanding the business. So heres a tiny & quick update

TAYYAABs COLLABORATION - JUNE

This was an awesome evening for a select group and was a huge success. I was told I was the first chef outside of Tayyabs to venture in their kitchen.

Working with with Wasim and his sister in law was a real honour and treat. Together we created a great Punjabi Menu,

However the standout  2 dishes of the evening were the Minted Lamb chops with pomegranates & the Lamb on the bone with Fresh Meethi (Fenugreek). 

The Lamb, there was not a morsel left

The Punjabi Banquet Table

Wasim modelling our bags, we were honoured he wanted one :-)

I even heard some of the regular guest peeking through the private dining room to see what was going on and after trying our lamb chops, they requested it was featured on their regular menu. Was a huge honour.

THE DRY GOODSTORE LUNCH - JUNE

We were asked by the lovely Yasmeen from the Dry Good Store in Maida Vale to host a special Persian Mezze Banquet for some of the people who run local businesses within Maida Vale.

Beautiful spread of fresh food in the communal garden, was a perfect setting with great people and food.

Watermelon & Feta shards with argan oil, pomegranate molasses & honey with fresh mints - Our favourite salad this summer , amazing with lamb chops

OTHER COOL EVENTS

We have catered for a few amazing clients & Organisation, a few ambassadors, Womens Organisation, Gallery Owner and of course our regular clients based around Hampstead and neighbouring areas.

Its currently Ramadan and we are working on a special Iftar event in 2 weeks time - Check out our upcoming social events here

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Summer Social at the Food Chain - 3rd July

The Hampstead Kitchen are thrilled to support the Food Chain summer fundraiser. We shall take up residency for one day in heir Acorn House kitchen - this is the venue from which they deliver their weekly communal eating sessions and cookery classes for people living with HIV. 

So please join us for the first ‘Summer Social at The Food Chain’, where you will enjoy a choice of fine wine and truly exquisite, inimitable Persian cuisine.

To confirm your place at the Summer Social, please visit Justgiving page and kindly consider making a suggested £50 donation per person. Our Acorn House kitchen seats 45 guests, so we suggest making a donation as far in advance of 3 July as possible in order to avoid disappointment.

Date Thursday 3 July 2014, 7pm - 11pm

Capacity 45 guests

Price £50 suggested donation per person Tables will seat six people.

Donate via Justgiving here

For more information go to their website here 

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The Hampstead Kitchen Official Video 

Our clients and followers loved our first video of the head chef Saima cooking. However we were always asked about what we offer, cover and how we were different from the vast caterers out there. So we thought we put together a little fun video, nothing too business like.

It's not too contrived just a simple video shot over a few hours to explain how The Hampstead Kitchen rock and rolls.

So if you are having a party of know of anyone who is, send them this video for an insight to what we could do for them.

Hope you enjoy it...

A special thanks to Sam King & Chris Forster for the video.

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Punjabi Social with Tayyabs - Monday 9th June 14

  The Hampstead Kitchen & Tayyabs have teamed up to bring you Punjabi Social.

It will be all the things you love about Tayyabs with a Hampstead Kitchen twist. Expect to find the world famous lamb chops with some mint, pomegranates, or the chicken tikka with rose petals and  toasted almonds. 

Check out the Menu

So if you love Tayyabs, and love what the Hampstead Kitchen this is one not to be missed.

We are so excited about this, and know you will be too, come join in the fun.

 Date is 9th June , at 7pm tickets can be purchased here

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Whats the latest & our next social

Hi there, sorry for being a bit quiet, we have been knee deep in the most amazing events and expanding our Hampstead Kitchen mini empire so had to put on hold our social side. Hope you didn't miss us too much

Expansion

More events means more staff, we have been busy trying to find new staff to join our team to cope with the all the requests. We are now dividing our teams into the everyday events to the one off larger events that require a lot more effort and details. its been manic but epic.

Amazing events

Royal Family - We have been flown over to cook for a middle eastern royal family that had US heads of states and the UN too. Handling 50 lobsters was not easy tasks and putting them to sleep was even harder.

Palace of Versailles - We are gearing for the summer garden parties & wedding season. Our first wedding is in Palace of Versailles for 500 guests who will be having an individual persian & middle eastern banquet on their tables. We have had to  get tablecloths, napkins, & pottery made for this event. It's a huge challenge but this clients loves our food so we are going to do our best to make this happen.

St Tropez - We have a client who is flying over for a week in the late summer to host all their parties on their private yacht.

Next Social

Sorry we made you wait, however I am excited to let you know that we are collaborating with Tayyabs for a Punjabi Social with a difference. Date is 9th June , at 7pm tickets can be purchased here

Whats coming up?

We have got cooking lessons in mid June where you decide what we cook and share afterwards. So watch out for that.

Speak soon.

Saima

Founder of The Hampstead Kitchen

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The Hampstead Kitchen

Private Chef & Catering in London - Food with Style for every event

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Smokey Aubergine, feta, chilli & mint triangles

This recipe was created when my first client wanted canapés for a cocktail reception. I was so used to creating mezze & large platters.

I used make spiced flatbread instead of doritas for my baba gahnoush and then one day I was feeling rather decant decided to spoon it over and put some leftover feta and pomegranate seeds and chopped mint, and it looked pretty impressive.

This was one of the first picture s we w used for our holding page when we are thinking of creating our website. So this picture and this recipe is very dear to me. 

We have created this canapés to some pretty amazing clients, from a royal family in the Middle Eastern, to one of the richest men in the world, well I think he is number 3 on the list these days..

Anyhow its still a firm favourite of ours and we make it a few times a month for both formal business lunches to casual family get togethers, we hope you will enjoy it making it for your loved ones too.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time :30 minutes

Serves: Around 12

Ingredients:

2 large aubergines

1 garlic cloves crushed

1 red chilli, de seeded, finely chopped

good glug of olive oil

3 tbsp. finely chopped mint

2tbsp pomegranate seeds

125 g feta crumbled 

Flatbread - These can be made in advanced and stored in an airtight container.

4 good-sized pitta/flatbread

good glug of olive oil

sea salt 1tsp

3 tsp cumin

Method

Preheat oven to 220c gas mark 7. Wash aubergines, and grill turning frequently for 15 minutes until blackened and charred on either side. 

Once cool, cut open aubergines , scoop out flesh. chop it finely, don’t blend. Place the flesh in a colander to drain away liquid. Transfer into bowl, add chilli, lemon, olive oil and mint (keeping some mint for the garnish). Season with sea salt and set aside.

Cut open the pitta/flat bread cut in half, then into 3 triangles. Each Pita should give you 12 triangles.

Place in a single layer on a baking tray and drizzle enough olive oil to generously coat each chip. Sprinkle sea salt and cumin and roast for 5 to 8 minutes, until golden and crisp  These can be made ahead of time and kept in a airtight container. 

Once the pitta chips are cool, only assemble just before serving, if you do this in advance the pitta chip becomes soggy.

Spoon the aubergine mixture onto each pitta, then top with crumbled feta, scatter some pomegranate seeds and finish with chopped mint leaves & serve immediately.

I serve mine on an old wooden tray so the lovely green, white & red colours show, with a small bowl of pomegranate seeds in the middle.

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Social Sitdown - Mezze Banquet & Workshop at West Elm

The Hampstead Kitchen had the pleasure & honour to host a dress to impress workshop at West Elm. West Elm are a NY home design who have recently opened a store in London. 

I already had their bowls from their Brooklyn store, so when they invited me to host a workshop on dressing a table & hosting a special Mezze afterwards I jumped at the chance.

Both West elm & I decided to choose a deserving charity for all the tickets sales go to. We were recommended by the Mayor of Camden to select Food Chain.

The best part of my job, is setting the table, and being in this store was like being in a candy store. The mezze plates had a lovely peacock design.

Our colourful table with a combination of West elm dishes, vases & some of my old platters from Iran, Turkey & Pakistan. Some are nearly 20 years old.

We got carried away with their vases, but then remembered we needed to make space for the food....

We love our colourful plates, table set time to call in the guests

Our beautiful guests and thats me in the apron way in the back, can you spot me :-)

The best thing abut the mezze banquet is the sharing of platters of food to get everyone engaging with one another.

Our guest enjoying the food, there was no leftovers which is what we love, a sign of a great banquet

The Food Chain & West elm team - a big thank you from us.

Pictures curtesy of Days in Pictures & Wanderers Path

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Punjabi Social - Punjabi Streetfood & Music - Saturday 26th April

The Punjabi Social  has been in swing for 4 years well before The Hampstead Kitchen even was born.

It started out as a few friends getting together to enjoy a great night with a punjabi theme, punjabi food, music and dressing up in punjabi clothes.

The other reason we started this was for me to learn how to cook some of the food my parents both served at typical special family gatherings.

I feel it is important to learn some of these dishes so we can carry on the Punjabi food legacy as it will be lost as each generation passes.

What to expect at this social?

There will be tons of food, punjabi dance lessons in how to strut yourself, twitting light bulbs, patting the doggies. We will get you so drunk on our mango lassi you won't need any alcohol.

Menu

Welcome Drink 

Mango Lassi or Salted Lassi 

Street Snacks

 Pani Poori (v)

Puffed round flour balls filled with spiced chick peas,

tamarind chutney & spiced coriander water 

Shami Kebabs

Ground Lamb & lentil spiced patties served

with mint & chilli chutney

  Main event 

Achari Gosht

Lamb with intense mixed pickle masala

 Karahi Chicken

Chicken cooked in a karahi (wok) with fresh ginger, garlic, spices 

Sarson Ka Saag (v)

Fresh Baby spinach with butter & cream 

Tarka Daal (v)

Lentils with delicate spices with hilli & Coriander 

Chawal with Chole

Beautiful infused rice with spiced chick peas

Tandoori Roti

Fresh Tandoor Rotis

Dessert

Firni

Rice & Milk pudding with pistachios & roses 

Chai

Daam wali Chai

strong Dhaba tea with cardamons

Details

Date : Saturday 26th April

Time : 7pm till late

Dress Code : Ethnic, stretchy pants are advisable, best outfit will get a special treat, so put on your best gear.

Tickets : £30 available here 

Pictures from our last year Punjabi Social

Thats me the head chef & founder of The Hampstead Kitchen rocking a turban

Feast prepared at last years Punjabi Social 

Our killer saag, dont even ask us how much butter & cream went into this, doesn't matter it tasted so good.

I learnt this mint, chilli chutney from my father, he has his own social recipe, that has brown sugar, garlic and a little plum tomato. I like it neat, but usually you can mix this with yogurt to tame this beauty down.

Streetfood Starters - Shami Kebab - Lentil & lamb pattis served with mint, chilli chutney. _ gol guppas- puffed flour balls , filled with spiced chick peas and spiced water, also called pani puris

Firni- Ground Rice, milk, cream & sugar pudding, with silver leaf paper, pistachios & rose petals, this was my mothers recipe as she used to make this each time we had a special family gathering.

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Social Sitdown with West Elm & The Hampstead Kitchen

West Elm & The Hampstead Kitchen are collaborating to bring you Social Sitdown

Join us for a dress-to-impress table workshop + dinner from The Hampstead Kitchen. You will be given a masterclass on Table Decorating &  Mezze Preparation and also be able to enjoy the Persian Mezze with a select  group afterwards.

Date : Thursday 3rd April

Time : 7:00 – 9:00pm.

Tickets for this event cost £15 per person 

with all proceeds going to The Food Chain.

The Hampstead Kitchen will be serving up delicious Persian 

mezze which can be enjoyed by guests after-hours in the store!

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Photos from our Social - Nowruz -Persian New Year

We loved this evening, treating our guests to a special day in the persian calendar Nowruz - New Year. 

I don't think I need to say much as the pictures speak from themselves. There was of course an abundance of food , but always is at our socials and of course beautiful people to enjoy it. Good food and good company go hand in hand.

7 Course Royal Banquet

Our guest walked into the Haft Table  which signifies the coming of spring and various items to represent wealth, love & fertility etc....

Close up of some of the items on the Haft table

Our table setting was colourful with turquoise, red, oranges, pinks, and purples.

We love to make sure we contrast our food to the right dishes, the presentation of food is very important as "The first bite is with the eye"

If you know us well, you know we love colourful bowls

Our lucky guests listening to the chefs talk about the menu for the evening

We love how colourful our food is , it was spring on a plate for sure....

The chef still taking booking despite being busy for the evening event.

This is how we roll, our chef Saima has about 20 pairs, but she sticks to these old ones, as she thinks these are her lucky pair

The end of the evening , giving all our guests our goody bags. Which were our canvas logo bag, spice mix for baby chicken & recipe

Photos taken by Gabina Kucerova follow her on twitter @gabiKucerova 

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Best Testimonial I have received to date...

Saima,

How impossible is it to have a surprise birthday party for your wife… in her own home???

ALMOST impossible but not if you have retained the Hampstead Kitchen…

You were great to work with in the planning and putting up with my worries… and then we come to the main event…. The set up was perfect thanks to your flexibility in working around the surprise…

And then there was the food… I didn’t know exactly what I was letting us in for… but I found out… everything was as good as or better than you promised… Loved it all, especially the Baba Ghanoush and the Kababeh Torsh… Well, those were my favourites, but everything was outstanding.

Thanks for throwing Diane and me out of the kitchen and thanks for being sooooo friendly with our guests.  The atmosphere that your food and personality created made the evening even more special.

I must be a genius for having found you!!!!

Thanks again,

Steve (and Diane)