All posts filed under: Drinks

The Butcher’s Gin.

Published by Kate Stockman

When I last visited the food fair Tavola for a client (and some extra food inspiration), I got intrigued by this exceptional product. A gin -nothing special so far_ but based on a secret herb mix, used to marinate meat, that needs to be served with the gin. That’s more like it! I started talking with De Laet & Van Haver and they explained the how and the why. Legendary butcher Luc De Laet from De Laet & Van Haver created a couple of years ago a special raw beef preparation Secreto 07. This beef is a Rubia Gallega ribeye marinated by hand to make sure every spot is covered with a secret mixture of herbs, spices & enzymes, placed on shelves in a cold storage unit at 2° at low humidity. According to the similarities between marinating the raw beef and the maceration process during the production of gin grew the idea to develop a gin based on the herbs and spices (we know that in the mix there is definitly juniper, cardamom, coriander, orange …

Holy breakfast! Meet the “All-day Breakfastarians”

Published by Kate Stockman

At StockmanVerstraete we spotted this trend all ready a while ago: breakfast, as one of the main eating moment of the day,  is getting more and more important in people’s life. People always loved breakfast, they sure do. But that’s not what this trend is all about. The game changer here is the fact that people start asking to have breakfast all day long and smart inspired entrepreneurs respond to that demand. Last year I went to New York on a food safari with a client, and I had breakfast at the fab bar Five Leaves in Brooklyn, a tip from my friend Niels, living in the neighbourhood. All the hippest breakfast dishes of the moment were served here and it was clear that something was going on. For example I had thick artisan sourdough bread toast, with vegetables and a poached egg and another toast with an entire Asian noodle dish dressed on top of it. We also had beautiful scrambled eggs with some parmesan cheese and truffle and the obligatory pancakes with maple syrup. …

Tried & enjoyed: The Grain Store London, a splendid veg-centric restaurant

Published by Kate Stockman

Still in London for the food trend video, we went out to diner with the film crew but not without asking my friend Charles from The Food People where to eat. (Locals always are the best to give you insider info) He immediately recommended The Grain Store. Bruno Loubet, former head chef at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saison, latterly the man behind the much-lauded Bistrot Bruno Loubet set up this visionary new concept with mixologist Tony Conigliaro. (Their first project together was The Zetter Townhouse in Clerkenwell.) The Grain Store is the latest addition to the new cool London foodie quarter King’s Cross. ( From the new Kings Cross station only 5 minutes walk alongside beautiful decorated paneling hiding ongoing construction works in the area).

Tried & enjoyed: Wine bar ‘Bedales Wines’ London.

Published by Kate Stockman

During my last trip to London (we were shooting a food trend video for a client), one of the film locations was Borough Market. This gourmet food market – up to 70 stalls and stands – brings producers/farmers from all over the country offering a range of fresh products including fish, meats, vegetables, ciders, cheeses, breads, coffees, cakes and patisseries. Located right next to the London Bridge, this cosy, crowded spot is a haven for anybody who cares about the quality and provenance of the food they eat – chefs, restaurateurs, passionate amateur cooks and people who just happen to love eating and drinking.