CHEF'S BLOG

PEARL ON BBC1's HUSTLE

Thursday 5 February 2009 - Pearl appeared on the hit BBC1 series Hustle on Thursday 5 February.  The main characters were shown having drinks in the bar and dining in the restaurant.  If you are quick you can watch the program on BBC iplayer.  Pearl is featured about 40 minutes into the episode. 

MARKET KITCHEN

I recently appeared on UKTV Food’s Market Kitchen from 26 January – 30 January 2009.  I demonstrated a delicious Pollack with cockle chowder that is quick and easy to make, and also gave some great suggestions for credit crunch style lunches.

I have filmed another week of shows for Market Kitchen and some episodes of ITV Daily Cooks, which will aired in February.  I’ll let you know the dates as soon as they have been scheduled. 

SEASONAL TIP

I thought I would share with you a dish for you to try at home.  My warm vegetable salad is the perfect healthy meal for the winter months.  Not only is watercress packed full of vitamins, but if you have a cold, the horseradish will help clear your sinuses.

(Four People)

For the dressing, mix 150g crème fraiche, one tablespoon of Dijon mustard and two tablespoons of creamed horseradish in a bowl.  Add the juice of half a lemon.

Peel two carrots and two parsnips and cut into eights lengthways.  Cut 100g of beetroot into cubes.  Place 40g walnuts on a baking tray and roast at 160°C for four minutes.  Cook 50g of broccoli in salted boiling water for two minutes, then plunge into iced water.

Pan-fry the parsnips and carrots in olive oil for three minutes, add 20g butter, and cook for another three minutes.  Add the beetroot, walnuts, broccoli and two tablespoons of honey and warm.  Serve on a plate, garnish with a handful of watercress and spoon dressing over the top.

JUN TANAKA TO APPEAR ON BBC1 SATURDAY KITCHEN
ON 27th DECEMBER 2008

Just to let you know that I'll be appearing on the BBC's Saturday Kitchen Christmas Special in December.  Hopefully you’ll be able to tune in to see one of my recipes being demonstrated.

SIMPLE TO SENSATIONAL COOK BOOK

I have been extremely busy working on my new cookery book, which will be available in all book shops from May 2009.  It’s particularly exciting as this will be my first book.  Within the cook book there will be 100 recipes, including starters, salads, main courses and desserts.  First I will provide simple recipes for inexperienced cooks that will build confidence and teach basic skills.  The opposite page to each recipe will then demonstrate how this simple recipe can be transformed into something spectacular in a few easy steps.  For example, once the simple Butternut Squash Soup has been mastered, it can be turned into sensational Butternut Squash Soup with Caramelised Scallops, Wild Mushrooms and Parmesan. 

JUN TANAKA APPEARED ON BBC2 MARKET KITCHEN
FROM 3RD UNTIL 7TH NOVEMBER 2008

I enjoyed presenting on Market Kitchen every day at 2.15pm from 3rd until 7th November 2008.  It is the first time that Market Kitchen has been shown on BBC2, so hopefully the ratings will have soared.  During the five days, I cooked a number of dishes such as Duck Breast with Caramelised Chicory and Lentils, and Clementine and Orange Blossom Clafoutis.

GOURMET CANDY FLOSS AT PEARL

We have just introduced Gourmet Candy Floss at Pearl which is offered complimentary with our guests’ petit fours, or in Pearl Bar for only £5 for two candy floss.  It’s only available on Saturday evenings and the flavours include Marshmallow; Chocolate Profiterole; Lemon; and Strawberry Candy Floss.

JUN TANAKA AND PEARL SHOWCASE AT TOP LONDON GASTRO SHOWS

With many exciting and interesting gastronomic events happening in London during 2009, I am always delighted to have the opportunity to showcase the talents of Pearl’s kitchen to food fans and London’s gastronomes!

One of the largest events will be Taste of London in Regents Park.  Running from the 18th to the 21st June 2009, Taste of London is a great environment for us to demonstrate our cooking talents, alongside some of the best restaurants in London.

JUN TANAKA AT PEARL RESTAURANT

Jun Tanaka is the Executive Chef at Pearl, one of the Capital’s most glamorous restaurants, with over a million hand-strung pearls in its décor. Since its opening in June 2004, the restaurant has established an excellent reputation for its exquisite modern French cuisine.

Prior to Pearl, Jun spent 10 years working with some of London’s best chefs in seven top Michelin star restaurants, including The Oak Room with Marco Pierre White.

WELCOME TO PEARL’S WEBSITE

Welcome to our new website. Keep a look out in this section for hints and tips on how to cook great tasting dishes in your own home.  These will be appearing in this section regularly.  If you have any questions, please e-mail me at info@pearl-restaurant.com.

Jun