Juliette shines through the downpour
Thunder, lightening and heavy rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the three dozen buyers, caterers and members of press who joined MBMG to celebrate the first of the new season’s Juliette potatoes at the second Annual Juliette Dinner held on the Elveden Estate on Wednesday 26th July.

Guests was taken by tractor and trailer to the Juliette fields where, according to MBMG’s agronomist Peter Cocks, the Juliette potatoes were at their optimum in terms of maturity, size and water content and were ready to be harvested. Despite the wet conditions, everyone with a bit of help from the Elveden Elves, grabbed forks and spades and dug enough potatoes for the evening’s meal.

Dinner was prepared and cooked by Paul Gayler, Executive Chef of The Lanesborough and his team which included Andrew Bennett, Executive Chef of the Sheraton, Park Lane. Guests were treated to a sumptious menu centred round Juliette potatoes and other East Anglian produced fare.

During coffee, Paul Gayler presented the Potato Lovers Recipe Challenge Trophy and a cheque for £1,000 to the winner of this year’s challenge, Emilia Strazzanti whose recipe of ‘Salad of Juliette Potatoes, Mussels and Fennel’ was chosen from amongst 49 entries for its clever marriage of ingredients.