Fashion Fix
Oh the glamour. When we heard that Brix Smith-Stuart, plain-talking co-presenter of Gok Wan’s Channel Four TV show, was hosting the Muir Maxwell Trust Charity Fashion Show we all made a bit of an extra effort with our accessories (well, checked the aprons were straight anyway). For we had the enviable task of cooking for a star-studded fund-raising gala dinner at Mansfield Traquair which brought together almost 200 high end fashionistas and even ordinary civilians too. The event was in aid of the Muir Maxwell Trust which provides vital funds and support for children with epilepsy. Titled The Secret Garden, Mansfield Traquair looked even more extraordinary than usual, with a catwalk down the centre and tables of ten around it, flowers, leaves and atmospheric lighting dominating the occasion which kicked off with some suitably stylish canapés including Hendricks Gin and Tonic Jelly with Cucumber.
Despite feasting their eyes on the lean models in the Jane Davidson Catwalk Show, our guests seemed thankfully happy to more than nibble on their Pressed Ham Hocks and Borlotti Beans wrapped in Parma Ham with a Satsuma and Cranberry Chutney and Pumpkin Emulsion. Surely clothes guru Brix would love the idea of a pumpkin emulsion, to wear if not to eat?
The boldly coloured starter was followed by the Young Designer of the Year Award and after that a magnificent lamb-fest (no-mutton-dressed-as quips we hope): lamb fillet, braised daube & mini tagine pie with a thyme jus.
A performance from St Andrews band The Other Guys came next before a yummy blueberry tiramisu and some very elegant home-made petit fours, the Jimmy Choos of food (passion fruit chocolate truffles and blackcurrant leathers screaming for a kitten heel).
The very clever Impromptu Tenors surprised guests by masquerading as two of our waiters and a guest, bursting into spontaneous song at the end of the evening. Lavish in the best possible sense (this night and the FS2012 Fashion Show in St Andrews raised over £150,000) we were utterly delighted with the event and the response of our guests to Mansfield Traquair’s Secret Garden.
“Hard-core gorgeous”, as Gok himself would say.
