LOCAL MASTERCHEF CONTESTANT'S TASTY NEW COLLABORATION WITH AWARD-WINNING BEVERLEY CHOCOLATIERS

White Rabbit Chocolatiers is to collaborate with local Masterchef quarter-finalist Mike Williams to create a unique, one-off taster menu event.

Aimed at celebrating local produce and talent Exciting pop-up restaurant on Saturday 21st October.

Latest development in fruitful collaboration between local Masterchef quarter-finalist and artisan food manufacturer 

Part of White Rabbit’s ambition to include entertainment and social events in its offering 

Ambitious plans are under way as Beverley’s White Rabbit Chocolatiers and local Masterchef quarter-finalist Mike Williams work on producing an exciting, one-time-only pop-up restaurant project.

Their aim is to celebrate local produce and talent and Mike will be using White Rabbit’s chocolate to create an extravagant menu for all to enjoy.

The dishes will be the centrepiece of an event at Elwell’s Restaurant in Flemingate on Saturday 21 October from 6pm to 8.30pm. And catering students from East Riding College will also be given the opportunity to work alongside the two culinary experts, to help hone their cooking skills and experience.

Mike will create a four-course menu, through which he hopes to educate people about chocolate and its many unexpected uses in cooking - from how to taste and enjoy chocolate to the full, to the various taste profiles truly fine chocolate has to offer. They will also be involving local wine merchant House of Townend to provide wines for each course which match the unique flavours of the food and chocolate ingredients.

Mike said it is essential to use the best quality, fine chocolate in cooking. “Many people don’t realise what a fantastic ingredient chocolate can be, and there are so many unexpected ways in which you can use it in cooking.

“White Rabbit produce such an amazing variety of really fine quality chocolate, it gives the best possible culinary results and we are really excited by the idea of showcasing this in our taster menu.” 

Their relationship began when Ed noticed Mike from his appearance on Masterchef. “I’ve been a customer for quite a while and would pop in regularly,” added Mike.

“I’m the kind of guy that likes to shop locally and I got chatting to Ed because he recognised me from TV and this led to the idea of doing a pop-up night. We quickly recognised that we share a love of fine food and ingredients, and have become friends and colleagues as a result.”

It isn’t White Rabbit’s first brush with the Masterchef brand either. It recently signed an exclusive deal to supply chocolates via the Masterchef Network, which is helping to cement its position on the national stage.

White Rabbit, based in Dyer Lane, Beverley, is one of only 70 suppliers nationwide, recommended by former contestants on the popular TV programme, to be promoted to its viewers. The Masterchef links have really boosted business for White Rabbit and they are hoping the pop-up restaurant will help to further grow their reputation both locally and further afield.

“It’s a bit of fun for us, it should be a great night for those who come along and hopefully we’ll open people’s eyes to a few possibilities they weren’t aware of too,” concluded Mike.

One of the main aims of the pop-up restaurant is celebrating local food culture and Mike thinks that White Rabbit and other businesses in the area have the potential to help Beverley rival other foodie cities such as York and Leeds.

“I think Beverley has got the potential, we have got some great businesses and restaurants right on our doorstep, but it’s not the easiest place to get to so you need a good reputation and plenty of things going on for people to make the journey,” he said.

Other locally-sourced produce they plan to feature includes smoked duck from Staal Smokehouse, and macarons from Patrick Macarons & Patisserie (Macaronman).

Ed said: “I’m very excited about what will hopefully be our first of many guest taster menus. As well as selling great chocolate, we want White Rabbit to be a place people come to to socialise, meet up and have a whole enjoyable experience around food. Other things we’ve done recently include everything from lolly-making workshops, to musical entertainment by popular local artists.

“We love nothing more than collaborating with other like-minded local people, too, and as well as Mike, we’re looking forward to working with East Riding College to create what we hope will be an exciting opportunity for all involved and hopefully will be a really memorable night, too.”

Places for the taster night are limited. They cost £40 per head, with optional wine to accompany each course for an extra £15 per head, and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Anyone who would like to come along should email info@whiterabbitchocolatiers.co.uk or call them on (01482) 679325.