The captain of my soul 纪念世纪大战之创意菜

The captain of my sole 纪念世纪大战之创意菜

The great British Menu competition is on again.  This year's  theme is about the centenary of the WWI   in the fish course of the Northern Ireland, one of contestants produced this beautiful dish called the captain of my soul. The chef explained Winston Churchill mentioned the phrase in one of his speeches.  At this point the judges, 2 Michelin stars Tom Kerridge and Marcus Wareing looked at each other unsure J.  Well  Winston Churchill made numerous speeches, who can remember them all?  The connection of the dish with war and heroism was thus established

 

The ingredients boasted the best of the British sea food. Dover Sole, crab, long-leg clams and sea spinach.  The chef poached the sole fillet in butter and made the crab coquettes and lightly steamed clams in their shell.  The sea spinach was cooked and pureed

 

Placement of the dish is a spread of sea spinach puree topped with the sole fillet with the arrangement of the crab coquettes and clams and greens.

 

This dish had the delicious tasty Dover sole, crab coquettes added texture and colour, I am not sure about the long-leg crams.  I would have taken them out of their shells and lined them up as soldiers!

 

This dish got 8 out of 10, best of the heat, but not the full mark the chef was aiming for.  Wondering what would he do to improve the dish?  Maybe highlighting the colour theme of British Navy uniforms?  They are really smart and all the dinner guests will get it.

 

BTW The captain of my soul was from Invictus,  by English poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903) and have been frequently quoted in speeches and films.

Invictus*** ^[

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul

 

 

***unconquered