Grana Padano Week at L'Anima

I was delighted to attend a Masterclass followed by a delicious dinner at L'Anima in London to celebrate Grana Padano Week.  My daughters and I have attended previous Grana Padano events, such as this one in associated with Slow Food UK.

However, this event was strictly for grownups.  We were welcomed to the restaurant on a scorching hot July afternoon and squeezed into the kitchen for a Masterclass with Davide Oldani of Michelin starred Restaurant D’O in Milan and Francesco Mazzei of L’Anima in London.  

We donned our aprons and squeezed into the restaurant kitchen to watch the chefs demonstrate a couple of dishes that would be appearing on our special menu to celebrate Grana Padano Week.  We were joined by Italian TV who were filming the chefs and us.

I was asked by Davide to plate up his heavenly dish after watching him.  No pressure! I nervously plated up the dish copying what I had seen him do moments earlier and it didn't look too bad compared to his one.

Davide's plated up gnocchi on the left and mine is on the right. 

Francesco demonstrated a scallop dish with N’duja, Grana Padano Riserva & crispy peppers and sage leaves.

We were then lead back out to the main restaurant to have some appetisers before our delicious dinner.  The appetisers were divine and it took all my considerable willpower not to eat too many.

These deliciously light cheese balls were AMAZING! Very moreish and packed with flavour

Delicate Choux Buns filled with Grana Padano mousse and caramelised red onions, heaven in a mouthful.

Light, crispy pastry filled with Grana Padano and spinach, delicious!

Soon it was time for our dinner and I had a fab time eating excellent food and chatting with bloggers who I hadn't met before.  I was seated next to Amy from She Cooks, She Eats who was lovely.  

I had the best dinner I've had for a long time and it was great seeing Francesco and meeting Davide.  Both chefs are incredibly passionate about Italian regional cuisine, brilliant at what they do, and showed off the versatility of Grana Padano very well with the delicious dishes we were served.

Many thanks to L'Anima and Grana Padano for a fabulous time!

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