Jan-June 2014:This experimental dinner series has now ended.- For further information and tickets please go to our current events page.
KAISEKI by Kitchen Theory was a 9-course experimental dinner event held at the House of Wolf in Islington in collaboration with award-winning designer and calligrapher Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic.
Kaiseki, also known as kaiseki-ryōri, is a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner service which can be traced as the origins of the western concept of tasting menus. Steeped in philosophy, Kaiseki focuses on the multi-sensory aspects of dining which includes focusing on the colours, scents, and textures of the food as well as embracing the beauty of the surroundings. We had drawn on the philosophical, cultural, artistic and multi-sensory elements of Kaiseki as our framework while tying in our more western and modernist culinary experience to create a fusion experimental dining experience.
Following on from the sell-out of the 2013 multi-sensory dining experiences; ‘ELEMENTS by Kitchen Theory’, Jozef Youssef, founder and Chef Patron of Kitchen Theory alongside Head Chef Helder-Gila Alonso and a team of highly skilled chefs had taken on the challenge of reinterpreting this highly esteemed dining experience by collaborating with artist Aerosyn-Lex, who has worked with the likes of Kanye West and Fashion house KENZO, to showcase touches of his art and film.
Service begins with a screening of Aerosyn-Lex’s directorial début short film titled SCRIPTURA VITAE, which was commissioned by Channel 4 and Protein London as part of the Random Acts platform. A poetic performance piece exploring duality, stars famed Japanese actress Miho Nikaido alongside Butoh performer and dancer Maki Shinagawa, features new and original music by Grammy nominated producer DIPLO. The 6 minute film serves as the opening act and the inspiration of the multi-course experimental dinner to follow.
These pop-up events were held at the House of Wolf, and feature visual elements invoking themes from SCRIPTURA VITAE, including traditional Noren screens and custom chef jackets with embroidered calligraphy. Expect an edible Japanese garden, an interesting array of pickles and a very long noodle piped into a consommé to represent eternal life amongst other art inspired dishes.
Click here to view the SCRIPTURA VITAE trailer and the artist profile.
The Menu
Please note this is a sample menu, some dishes may vary due to seasonality and the availability of fresh produce
Hassun- ‘Night garden’ selection of appetizers
Mukozuke-Sashimi with smoked dashi pearls
Owanomono- Mushroom consomme with Tofu noodles
Yakimono- Selection of Yakitori grills
Sunimono- Seaweed salad
Agimono- Tempura selection
Konomono-Nukazuke (Japanese style pickles)
Gohan- uruchimai (Japanese rice) squid ink risotto
Mizumonno- ‘Land of the rising sun’ dessert
When? Where? How much?
KAISEKI BY KITCHEN THEORY at the House of Wolf has now ended. For other event information and tickets please go to our current events page.
Want to find out more about the origins of Kaiseki? Read our recent article about this spectacular dining tradition.
Have a question or something to say? Get in touch!
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