This October, Alain Ducasse’s Rivea London at Bulgari Hotel & Residences has devoted its kitchen to the humble chestnut, creating a dedicated menu exploring the earthy flavours and unexpected variety of this treasured and festive autumnal ingredient. Signalling the start of the French, Italian and British chestnut harvests, the menu also pays homage to the Riviera’s annual autumn festivals – a chance for the community to come together in celebration of the year’s successful harvest.
Taking place in towns and villages throughout the Riviera, the annual ‘Fête de la Châtaigne’ festivals are an opportunity to celebrate – a key event in the calendar of autumn festivities. Throughout October, the towns and villages of the region dedicate entire weekends to enjoying the variety of this much-loved ingredient. All-day Provençal markets are found bursting with delicacies such as marron glacés (candied chestnuts) and chestnut pies, while restaurants create special menus and entire villages attend great public feasts with music, street performers, dancing and revelry into the night.
In tribute to these annual festivities Alexandre Nicolas, Executive Chef and protégé of Alain Ducasse, has created a four course menu to showcase and celebrate this versatile ingredient. Running from the 1 October to 15 November, dishes will include, Paccheri, chestnut and sautéed mushrooms and Seared scallops with pumpkin, chestnut and hazelnut, amongst others. Carefully selected to complement the menu, each meal will be accompanied by a glass of Lirac, La Reine des Bois, Domaine de la Mordorée, 2014.
Priced at £45 per person, the Chestnut Menu at Rivea London will be available from 2015.
The menu:
Delicate chestnut velouté, roasted butternut
Artisanal paccheri, chestnut, sautéed mushrooms
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Seared scallops, pumpkin, chestnut, hazelnut
or
Corn-fed chicken breast, chestnut, shallots and girolles
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Pear/chestnut
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Tea or Coffee
