13th October 2011

DORCHESTER: Valentine’s treat for charity

By Anita Harries

Valentine Warner, a gentleman with a very unique approach to cooking, came to the Corn Exchange in Dorchester to cook in front of a very appreciative audience of ladies - and more than a few men.

This fundraiser for the Children’s Society was entertaining and great fun to watch, as this cookery demonstration with a difference hit the stage.

Valentine is well known for his television work on programmes such as “What To Eat Now” and “Ration Book Britain”, as well as countless newspaper and magazine articles and several recipe books. He dislikes the modern idea that food always has to be quick and easy, although that was very much the order of the evening. And his choice of ingredients raised more than a few eyebrows.

Valentine began with quince, “a food I do not want to fall off the kitchen table. Cook them and let them release their secrets.” Cook them he did - with wine, brandy, ginger, sugar, cloves, lemon rind and juice, and orange rind and juice.

This was followed by kale, eaten raw and garnished with fennel seeds, dark muscovado sugar, olive oil, salt and cider vinegar. Then came the venison, or to put it correctly, a roe deer curry. This had a whole cocktail of spices added to it, with everything from nutmeg, cinnamon, red onions, and peppercorns, to garlic and red chilli paste. And yes, it had quite a kick to it.

The final dish was razor clams with chorizo, which also included hazelnuts, garlic, lemon zest, tomatoes, and curly parsley. And as well as taking questions from the audience throughout, he added a few quips of his own. “I consider the shotgun and the fishing rod to be kitchen tools - along with the hands.”

When asked how he came to like food so much, he replied: “As a child I went around biting everything .... and never stopped.”

With a hall full of mouth-watering aromas, everyone had the chance to try some of the food, all cooked with a great deal of enthusiasm and a genuine desire to ensure these foods never disappear from our plates.

Copies of Valentine’s latest book, “The Good Table”, were for sale, personally signed by the author himself. And local companies hosted stalls around the room, including Swanky’s, the Angel Cake Company, Fish Face, the Gilded Teapot, Thorntons, Helen’s Famous Wholefoods, and the Dorset Waste Partnership with some really useful tips and recipes.

A raffle was held to help boost the coffers, with food-related prizes on offer, and the whole evening was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

The Children’s Society wants to create a world where all children and young people are respected, valued and heard. They believe that childhood should be happy and that young people deserve to reach their full potential. They are also a leading provider of specialist services working with children who run away in England.

They run nine dedicated projects supporting over 1,000 children under sixteen. The projects provide a safe haven where children can go for independent and confidential help, advice and support.

PICTURE 1: Valentine Warner with the ladies of the Children’s Society

PICTURE 2: Valentine Warner signs copies of his latest book

PICTURE 3: Dishing up the venison curry