Pascal Aussignac Awarded Best Dish at Taste of London

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

The London party scene enjoyed a serving of gourmet heaven last night (Wed 15 June) as world class chefs descended upon Regent’s Park for the Taste of London Preview Night where AA Gill, Alain Ducasse and Alex James were just a few names to appear at the top of the guest list.

Stealing the show however was Pascal Aussignac, head chef at Club Gascon and winner of the Best in Taste Award 2011 with his dish: foie gras burger and summer truffle.

A panel of critics and food writers including Rene Redzepi, Gizzi Erskine, Matthew Fort, Kate Spicer, Zoe Williams, Taste Pascal Jay Rayner and Joe Warwick spent over six hours tasting signature dishes from 40 of the capitals top restaurants.

Revered critic Jay Rayner wasn’t surprised by the decision. Club Gascon’s foie gras burger is shamelessly outrageous and an absolute joy. Is it good for you? No. Does it make you feel good? Yes!

Pascal Aussignac was thrilled with the result. I wanted to do something with foie gras that would fit with summer. It’s a cool approach to have it roasted on a burger and the combination with the truffle works well for this time of year. It kind of suits the summer time pallet.

Coming a close second was newcomer Helena Puolakka of Skylon with a warm smoked Loch Var salmon, lemon verbena jelly and pickled cucumber and sweet rye.

In third place was Launceston Place’s Tristan Welch with a rice pudding soufflé with raspberry sauce for two.

A special mention also went to Paramount’s Colin Layfield for his rump of lamb, goat's cheese and white onion tart with sweet pea puree.

With the Best in Taste dishes revealed, wine tipster, Neil Phillips lead the charge with the inaugural Best in Taste Wine Awards which saw Italy take home two of the three awards winning the Taste of Summer category (Prosecco, Riccardo NV) and the Indulgence Award (Felsina Vin Santo 2001).

A Spanish white secured the Foodies Wine Award (Gran Feudo Chardonnay 2008, Bodegas Chivite) which went down well with the panel which included the likes of Denise Medrano (The Wine Sleuth), Roberto Della Pietro (Gauthier Soho), Mickey Narea (Launceston Place) and Neil Phillips (Taste of London wine ambassador).

Best in Taste Award:

Winner: Club Gascon - Pascal Aussignac - Foie gras burger and summer truffle
1st runner up: Skylon - Helena Puolakka - warm smoked Loch Var salmon, lemon verbena jelly and pickled cucumber and sweet rye
2nd runner up: Launceston Place - Tristan Welch - rice pudding soufflé with raspberry sauce for two

* Special Mention: Paramount - Colin Layfield - rump of lamb, goat's cheese and white onion tart with sweet pea puree.