Insider Guide to London Winter 2012 - by InterContinental London Park Lane

Guide to London

Winter 2012

Insider

2 InterContinental.London @ICParkLane

INSIDER A NEW HOME FOR A BRITISH ICON

A NEW HOME FOR A

BRITISH ICON2012 marks an important year

in the history of another iconic British brand, Burberry. While growing its success internationally Burberry has brought the focus firmly back to their hometown with the launch of the Burberry Regent Street store, the largest flagship store ever.

Burberry started in 1856 when a 21 year old entrepreneur named Thomas Burberry opened a store specialising in the development of outdoor wear. A few years later, the development of a weatherproof coat called the ‘Tielocken’ set the stage for an iconic future. From Major F.G. Jackson, famed for mapping parts of the Arctic Circle and Roald Amundsen, the first man to reach the South Pole, to Ernest Shackleton, who led a 1914

expedition to cross Antarctica, Burberry was the trusted brand of the intrepid.

In the same year, the War Office commissioned Burberry to customise the coat to the conditions of warfare, resulting in the “trench coat”. The trench was embraced by civilians and in the 1920s the Burberry check was used as a lining and an icon was born.

From a utilitarian beginning, the trench has been adopted by a range of fashionistas over the years. Today, it is an international cultural symbol that helped make Burberry one of the most worlds most respected ‘superbrands’.

The new store covers 44,000 square feet and is their most digitally advanced globally. The 19th century Grade II listed building has undergone extensive

renovation to display Burberry’s best in class British craftsmanship, design and manufacturing whilst showcasing the brand’s special heritage. The store brings together product, brand, music and entertainment to offer a cultural, experiential and innovation hub celebrating Britishness.

121 Regent Street, London, W1B 4TB

020 7806 8904

Mon – Sat: 10:00 – 21:00 Sun: 12:00 – 18:00

To book a personal shopping experience at the new flagship store, please speak with Concierge

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GAMES MAkERS Making London 2012Jacques Rogge, President of

the International Olympic Committee, described the 70,000 London 2012 volunteers as ‘the much-needed heroes of the Games,’ thanking them for their ‘smiles, kindness, and support’. Insider spoke to Tiffany Debreceny, one of London 2012’s Games Makers, to find out what it was like to be one of the surprise international heroes and so called ‘saviours of the Games’.

Describe your role within London 2012I managed our main client, LOCOG, and led our Olympic committee in delivering an exceptional guest experience before, during and after the Olympic period. This involved having over 204 National Olympic Committees and members of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) staying with us as our guests and overseeing our Workforce Catering operation for LOCOG staff; which provided over 30,000 meals during the Games in our Ballroom.

Why did you get involved with the Games and why were so many people keen on being a part of it?Having been a spectator at the

INSIDER MAkING LONDON 2012

What was your favourite moment of the Games?There are many! The opening ceremony was incredible; I was very fortunate to attend the rehearsal at the Olympic Stadium and was amazed by what Danny Boyle put together! It was also a very surreal feeling walking down Park Lane each day and seeing how the street was transformed with an abundance of Olympic colour and lots of smiling Games Makers greeting you along the way.

Who are your Olympic heroes?I felt very proud for the British Olympic team the night Jess Ennis, Mo Farah and Greg Rutherford all won gold; it was amazing to see how the nation got behind them. I also have a great deal of respect for the Paralympic athletes having watched the men’s wheelchair basketball!

Final thoughts on the GamesThe experience we delivered to

our guests was exceptional and could not have been achieved without the involvement and support of everyone in the hotel! It was such an incredible opportunity and I am so glad to be a part of it.

What’s next?After the Games finished, I started a new role within our Event Sales department as Director of Group and Event Sales. My knowledge and experience as Olympic Project Manager, and other roles within the hotel, have really helped me to move forward with my career and this exciting new challenge. I am looking forward to seeing the 2016 Games in Rio now from a spectator point of view this time!

To see how InterContinental London Park Lane changed during the Games, visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/intercontinental.london

NAME: Tiffany DebrecenyFROM: AustraliaLIvES: LondonOCCuPATION: Olympic Project Manager

Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, I was very aware of the magnitude of the event and jumped at the chance to be involved in a once in a lifetime role here at the hotel.

Describe a typical day during the Games In the lead up to the Games we had frequent meetings with the LOCOG Venue Operations team to plan and discuss everything from the Olympic guests arrival experience, logistics, security and transport operations. We had regular internal Olympic Committee meetings here at the hotel where we involved all operational departments and ideas like the chocolate gold medals for winning countries were developed. During the Games we welcomed the Presidents and Secretary Generals of the 204 National Olympic Committees; and we provided lunch, dinner and overnight meals to over 30,000

LOCOG staff. My day would start early and would range from welcoming VIPs, saying farewell to our guests as they set out to their events, overseeing the Workforce Catering Operations and coordinating deliveries. No day during the Games was ever the same!

What do you think the Games meant to London in terms of its legacy? The Olympic Park looks so great – the area has been completely regenerated and the predicted meltdown of the Underground never materialised, which proves we have a great transport system in this city. The city had a re-energised vibe for the whole period with visitors from all over the globe sensing the positivity and enjoying the entire experience. Hopefully London can keep up that up and carry on attracting visitors to the city.

Main photo: The hotel adopted an Olympic look for the Games, with specially designed flowers from our in-house florist, Moyses Stevens. Above photo: Pastry Chef Luis Meza and his team created Olympic gold medals made from chocolate for winning countries.


Insider Shopping IN THE EAST END

INSIDER INSIDER SHOPPING IN THE EAST END

We asked London experts urban Gentry and

InterContinental London Park Lane’s Director of Communications, Patty kahn (our own East End enthusiast), to compile the best places to shop and explore.

uRBAN GENTRy

HOuSE OF LIzAHouse of Liza is an independent boutique specialising in unique vintage clothes by designers known for their uncompromising creative vision. Their ethos is to offer and introduce a selection of cutting-edge, highly collectable vintage fashion by visionary designers.

The collection contains a selection from avant-garde fashion from the 60s to the 90s. Designers include Kansai Yamamoto, Courrèges, JC de Castelbajac, Stephen Sprouse, Comme des Garçons, Jil Sander, Montana, Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Urban Gentry says: Fascinating stop for the fashion serious and

anyone interested in design, creativity and the work of visionary thinkers.

9 Pearson Street, E2 8JD www.houseofliza.co.uk

LN-CCSituated in a non-descript building in hip Dalston with entry granted on an appointment-only basis, LN-CC is one of London’s, (if not Europe’s), most exciting high-end concept stores: mixing fashion, design, music and books.

Urban Gentry says: Unique, inspiring and truly unexpected.

18 Shacklewell Lane, E8 2EZ www.In-cc.com

HOSTEM One of London’s leading multi-brand menswear boutiques. The store mixes casual yet luxe streetwear designers with the niche, the unexpected and the directional.

Urban Gentry says: Menswear designer heaven.

41-43 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ www.hostem.co.uk

PITFIELD LONDONThe brainchild of interior designer Shaun Clarkson and textiles designer Paul Brewster, Pitfield London is a beautiful space, mixing a café and interiors store.

Urban Gentry says: Lovingly curated collection of interior, vintage-inspired products along with delicious eats.

31-35 Pitfield Street, N1 6HB www.pitfieldlondon.com

11 BOuNDARyRelaxed, high-end casual wear and womenswear boutique from fashion industry stalwart Deborah Winstanley. Stock includes many hard to find and exclusive to London brands.

Urban Gentry says: For women with refined and understated taste.

11 Boundary, E2 7JE www.11boundary.com

For more information on Urban Gentry, visit www.UrbanGentry.com

PATTy kAHN

One of my favourite Saturday activities is a trip to Broadway Market, nestled just between Regents Canal and London Fields. The market really celebrates the culinary creativity that is happening in the area.

Go hungry and sample some of the local street food vendors or the diverse selection of restaurants. If you are lucky you might see ‘Word on the Water’; a bookshop on a barge that travels up and down the canal. Plus you are right near London Fields Brewery (see page 10) so you can stop off for a pint. Broadway Market is open every Saturday from 9am-5pm.

Shoreditch is home to a collection of incredible Vietnamese restaurants and it is worth a trip to Kingsland Road. Everyone has a favourite… I personally like Viet Hoa Café or Mien Tay, although it is hard to go wrong in the area.

The flower market on Columbia Road is also a brilliant London tradition. On Sunday the street is transformed into a haven of plants and flowers. Take a leisurely walk and see one of the best foliage collections in the capital. Get there early to enjoy the market in full bloom.

To find out more about any of the featured places Patty mentions, please visit:

Broadway Market www.broadwaymarket.co.uk

Word on the Water thewordonthewater.blogspot.co.uk

Viet Hoa Cafe www.viethoarestaurant.co.uk

Mien Tay www.mientay.co.uk

Columbia Road Market www.columbiaroad.info

DID yOu kNOW…The area, which spans Hackney, Hoxton, and Shoreditch, has a checkered history that includes the Spitalfields silk riots (1679), the birth of the Salvation Army in the Whitechapel Church (1878) Jack the Ripper murders (1888), The Kray Brothers criminal empire (1960’s) and most recently the 2012 Olympics Games.

The 2012 Games brought regeneration and international attention to the East End of London that has put it firmly on the must-visit map. Don’t stop at the Olympic Park, East London is teaming with a creativity that has inspired some of the most stylish shopping anywhere in the world.

Photos clockwise from the top left: Hostem; Christmas at Spitalfields Market; Hostem and House of Liza


TEXTuREAs a way of re-experiencing food, texture will become the new taste! I predict we will be looking for surprising textures and new mouth-feel experiences.

TRANSPARENCyA big trend will be clear and transparent foods using less colour and more ‘light’. This will allow us to really see what we are eating and giving us a new sense of clarity.

HEALTH MuLTIFuNCTIONALITyFoods with greater health benefits and added benefits will continue to gain popularity.

FOOD ON THE GOI predict we will see better and more interesting offerings in the to-go market, which will even extend to the ‘two-step breakfast’ (a small breakfast at home and then at work; a

double meal effectively). The savoury ‘bagged’ breakfast will be one of these possible offerings.

LIMITATIONWith an increasing prohibition culture, there will be more cafés and restaurants offering a more limited menu or places which only sell one type of food, meatballs for example, with a variety of sauces or soups. This form of ‘limitation’ will really help with bringing back value and meaning to food.

SHARINGI think there will be far greater food opportunities, places and dishes for sharing, such as the resurgence of the home fondue kits or the sharing plate in restaurants.

A taste of WHAT’S TO COME

INSIDER A TASTE OF WHAT’S TO COME

The London food scene has enjoyed a renaissance over the past decade that has secured its place as a leader on the international dining scene. This ‘gastronomic revolution’ stretches from the markets of Brixton to the avenues of Mayfair and has inspired a generation of enthusiasts and creators. From small micro-breweries to bespoke gin providers and food trucks, this infectious passion has spurred a celebration and discovery of local ingredients and regionality.

EXPERIMENTAL FOOD SOCIETy Organisations such as the Experimental Food Society have helped change people’s perceptions of food and help drive trends of the future. From cake sculptors, gastronomic tailors, culinary cabaret troupes and one-of-a-kind dining conceptualists the group represents the most talented and pioneering culinary creatives in the UK. Alexa Perrin, founder of the group says “The pleasure of food, both emotional and psychological, has been utilised to great effect in the past, delighting, surprising and inspiring its recipients. The Experimental Food Society is borne out of a desire to revive food as an art form and change the landscape of food events forever”.

This year, Cookbook Cafe at InterContinental London Park Lane has partnered with the group to host its annual

Spectacular Banquet; a surreal multi-sensory dining experience inspired by all that is great about Britain. This five-course menu designed by the Experimental Food Society in collaboration with Executive Chef Paul Bates will be accompanied by a range of interactive food related experiences as well as a tailored soundtrack courtesy of The Broken Hearts.

The event will take place on Monday 19th November from 7–11pm at Cookbook Cafe. For more information on the event or the Experimental Food Society, please visitwww.experimentalfoodsociety.com

Insider spoke to Top uk Food Futurologist Dr Morgaine

Gaye about what we might see in 2013 and visited some of the key protagonists driving this evolution. “Food trends are often linked with society’s mood and even politics, the environment and fashion, so we will be increasingly influenced by politics and social circumstances,” says Dr Gaye. The uk is very much at the cutting-edge of emerging trends; this year was really about celebrating such a special year through the philosophy of the ‘Best of British’. This patriotism encouraged an ‘understanding’ of where food comes from, with locality and sustainability at the forefront. Retro versions of traditional classics, such as Scotch Eggs and Pork Pies followed suit, and molecular gastronomy continued to stand out.

So what does 2013 have in store? Dr Gaye selects some top trends for the coming year…

Main image: Michelle Wibowo, Sugar Artist Below image: Kyle Bean, Food Artist

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Crafting the

perfect pintLondon was once seen as

the brewing capital of the world, however, owing to the emergence and popularity of foreign lagers, the city’s breweries became few and far between. With this decline saw entrepreneurship. Smaller, independent breweries began to crop up around the city, producing handcrafted artisan beers from miniature ‘micro’ breweries to larger sized brewing houses, producing up to 10,000 pints per week.

Over the last 10 years or so, Londoners have really developed a taste for the capital’s bitter, with more and more varieties and brands available. Insider has rounded up the best of London’s local brews... Cheers!

zERODEGREES Located in the green suburb of Blackheath, south east London,

Zerodegrees is named after the temperature in which beer ferments. The bar has an industrial feel to give punters a true taste of being within a working brewery. Their pints contain no

preservatives or additives and it’s not filtered, so you get a genuinely British taste. They also serve delicious homemade food, such as wood oven-baked pizzas. Montpelier Vale, Blackheath, SE3 0TJ 020 8852 5619 www.zerodegrees.co.uk

LONDON FIELDS BREWERy Nestled within one of London’s most culturally vibrant areas,

Hackney, the London Fields Brewery has been crafting its own beers since August 2011. This Hackney institution even offers weekly tours around their famed brewery. Just £10 per person, the experience includes a full tour and tasting and runs every Saturday at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. 365-366 Warburton Street, E8 3RR 020 7254 7174 www.londonfieldsbrewery.co.uk

CAMDEN TOWN BREWERy Located a stone’s throw

from the bustling area of Camden in the north west of London, Camden Town Brewery started in 2010 and is tucked away in previously unused railway arches.

Since then it has become London’s third largest brewery, and even has its own bar; the Brewery Bar so you can drink the freshest beer in town. Now you can experience a taste of all five of their beers, with their ‘Beer Flights’; five one-third pints of their best brews for just £7. 55-59 Wilkin Street Mews, NW5 3NN 020 7485 1671 www.camdentownbrewery.com

TOP PICkS• HellsLagerfromCamden

Town Brewery - soft biscuity malt and a light lemony, peppery hop character.

• HackneyHopsterfromLondon Fields Brewery - grapefruit, lemon zest and gooseberry hints.

• WheatAlefromZeroDegrees - fruit notes with some caramel coming through on the rich elegant finish.

INSIDER CRAFTING THE PERFECT PINT


INSIDER THE APPETITE COMES WHEN yOu EAT

Regardless of origin, Italians fully embraced this ritual and Aperitivi boomed throughout Italy’s most fashionable cafes and bars in the late 19th Century. The ceremony played out perfectly with another much-loved tradition, La Passeggiata. Nowadays, this regular romantic pastime sees families, couples and friends enjoying a leisurely stroll in the early evenings often stopping for a drink in a local bar.

Chef Theo Randall is a regular visitor to Italy and loves to take part in La Passeggiata with his family. One of his favourite places to meander is Florence, in particular the Florentine institution that is Caffè Gilli. According to Theo ‘it is one of the best places to sit back anytime of the year to enjoy an Aperitivi and watch the Italians do what they do best’.

Inspired by his visits, Theo and team have brought a taste of Italian history to Park Lane with a new Aperitivi menu. In keeping with the restaurant style, the new selection uses seasonal and carefully sourced ingredients to celebrate classic Italian recipes.

The menu is split into sections, including concoctions which feature a traditional Classico, (all named after Theo’s favourite Italian figures), such as the Torino Milano, a blend of Carpano Antica Formula, Campari and soda water. For the Moderno side of the list, Theo joined forces with Fabio Immovilli of The Arch Bar at InterContinental London Park Lane. These include classic Italian ingredients with updated influences including the Basil & Lemon Martini, which combines Hendrick’s Gin, Limoncello Capri Natura, lemon juice, Italian basil and sugar.

The appetite comes WHEN yOu EAT

Insider spoke to Chef Theo about the new menu and the

meanings behind the names…

Q: Theo, why did you decide to launch an Aperitivi menu?

We really wanted people to enjoy a taste of the restaurant and to connect the philosophy of my cooking with our drinks menu. Just like our food, these are great Italian recipes made with the best ingredients. Italians do the pre-dinner drink tradition really well and I wanted to add an element of that relaxed experience here on Park Lane. There are no rules and it is very versatile.

Q: What are your recommendations for enjoying one of the new Aperitivi drinks?

We want to make enjoying Aperitivi a relaxed and informal experience, so you can simply join us for a drink and antipasti, stay on at the bar for a bowl of pasta, or enjoy a full dinner… the main thing is, I want people to enjoy themselves and their experience at the restaurant.

Q: How did you name the drinks?

They are all named after Italians that I admire. The Montalbano is named after the Salvo Montalbano, a fictional Italian detective from Sicily. He is pretty headstrong and powerful, and the bold, strong blend of flavours does his personality justice. It works really well with antipasti, like the Salumi Misti.

Theo’s Aperitivi menu starts from £12 – visit www.theorandall.com for more information.

Café Gilli, Via Roma 1/R, 50123 Florence, Italy www.gilli.it

SWEET ‘N’ HOTPER PERSON

40ml Stolichnaya vanilla vodka25g honey 3 dried chillies 1 dash of lemon juiceGarnish with 1 whole chilli

PREPARATION1. Before starting your

cocktail, prepare a Martini glass filled with ice to keep it chilled.

2. Gently muddle the chilli and the rest of the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.

3. Shake vigorously and strain into the Martini cocktail glass.

4. Garnish with the whole chilli.

Best summed up with the popular Italian saying; L’appetito viene mangiando, or ‘the appetite comes when you eat’, the tradition of enjoying a taster and drink before dinner is said to date back to the ancient Egyptian times. However, ask an Italian and they might claim that the ritual began in 1786 with the invention of the Aperitivo in Turin (home of the aperitivi classics Campari and vermouth).


Executive Chef Paul Bates and his team at Cookbook Cafe are committed to the practices and philosophy of local and sustainable food. This dedication won Cookbook Cafe a Two Star Award from the Sustainable Restaurant Association.

As part of Cookbook Cafe’s ongoing training

our associates regularly visit suppliers so they can see first-hand the importance of free range, buying locally and eating with the season. Most recently, Jonathan Parker, Managing Director at Foodari - a company that brings the best local food from farmers and producers across kent - took the team from London to a trip around Bank Farm, near Ashford, kent.

COOkBOOk CAFE’S TEAM: How did Foodari begin?

JONATHAN: Foodari began life delivering top-notch locally-sourced food to the best restaurants across the South East of England. Friends and family soon started asking us to deliver the odd kilo of prime Kent beef for their Sunday lunch or some fresh local lobster for a last minute dinner party. We were happy to help in return for an invite! Our dedicated and passionate producers welcomed the extra orders and we were usually passing our friends’ doors on our restaurant ‘round’ so it made sense. They soon realised how tasty our food was and that it wasn’t any more expensive than a typical weekly shop.

Demand for our produce started to grow. Now we don’t just deliver to our friends and family, and we don’t expect to be invited over for Sunday lunch (although it would be nice!).

Why do you think it’s important to buy local food?

If you think that there is little difference between local food and food from a supermarket then you’re very wrong. Local food is much fresher and therefore tastier. Our food is picked, harvested, prepared and baked at the last minute. It doesn’t sit around in a warehouse for days and definitely isn’t sent half way around the country before reaching your home.

EAT WITH

The Seasons

INSIDER EAT WITH THE SEASONS

What are the advantages of eating with the seasons?

Eating food that is in season is full of flavour, is fresher and therefore tastes a whole heap better, plus it doesn’t lead to waste and is better for the environment. And remember, deprivation leads to appreciation. Waiting for the asparagus season to start is a good excuse to gorge your heart out!

What is so special about your suppliers?

We only source food from local farms in Kent and the surrounding area. This not only guarantees 100% traceability, but means that your food travels the shortest distance possible from farm to your kitchen table. This is better for the environment and

guarantees your food arrives fresher and tastier. We don’t air freight and only ship the ‘out-of-season’ essential items in when we have no other choice.

As we are talking about seasonal food, what are the specials for Christmas?

We are lucky enough to have the first crop of our very own parsnips. These delicious root vegetables are grown and picked here at Bank Farm. All our produce is picked to order to ensure that you receive the very freshest and longer lasting veg than you can buy at the supermarket.

Jonathan’s produce features in our menu at Cookbook Cafe. To find out more, visit www.cookbookcafe.co.uk or www.foodari.com


METHOD (Serves 2)

• Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees

• Cut the Venison into 2 loins (approximately 140g per person) and lightly season with salt and pepper. Add to a hot, oiled pan and pan fry until the meat is sealed.

• Cook the Venison in the pre-heated oven for approximately 7-8 minutes (medium rare). Once cooked, take out and leave to rest.

• For the parsnip puree – finely slice 4 parsnips and sauté with 1 chopped shallot, 2 sprigs of thyme and 2 sliced garlic cloves with a little butter. Add 1 cup of vegetable stock and cover with a lid. Cook until the parsnips are soft. Once cooked, add 60 ml of double cream and reduce. Once cooked and cooled, blend the ingredients in a blender to make a fine puree and season to taste.

• For the roasted parsnips, cut the parsnips in to wedges and roast it with little honey and seasoning for approximately 8-10 minutes at 170 degrees.

• Blanch the bunch carrots for 2 minutes, and then roast them in an oven with some thyme for approximately 6-7 minutes at 170 degrees.

• To make the cabbage – add all of the ingredients and cook everything together (covering with a lid) until the cabbage is soft.

• Once the cabbage is soft, remove the lid and reduce the liquid down to get a nice glaze. Leave the cabbage to rest whilst you prepare the rest of the dish. This will be warmed through at a later stage.

• To make the parsnip crisps – peel 8 thin layers of parsnip using a kitchen peeler, then deep fry for 30 seconds until crispy and golden. Remove from fryer.

• To make the chocolate jus – add the dark chocolate to the juices from the Venison at the last minute and mix.

• Re-heat the braised red cabbage.

• Slice the venison in to 5-6 pieces per loin and re-heat the other ingredients.

• Plate as per the photo with chocolate sauce and finally add the parsnip crisps to garnish.

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Loin of Venison, Parsnip Purée, Red Cabbage, Roasted Vegetables and Chocolate Jus

INGREDIENTS 280g Loin of venison (around 140g per person)

40g of parsnip pureé (made with cream, shallots, thyme and garlic – see recipe)

4 roasted parsnips

4 roasted carrots

100g of braised sweet red cabbage (see recipe below)

8 parsnip crisps for decoration

10ml chocolate jus (made with 10 dark chocolate buttons)

Ingredients for the Red Cabbage1 shredded red cabbage

A splash of red wine

A splash of Port

800ml apple juice

800g brown sugar

Cinnamon sticks

200ml Banyulus vinegar

LOIN OF vENISON, PARSNIP PuRéE, RED CABBAGE, ROASTED vEGETABLES AND CHOCOLATE JuS

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Cookbook Cafe Signature Winter Dish

INSIDER SIGNATuRE WINTER DISH


The Buzz ON PARk LANE

International concern sparked a grass roots

urban beekeeping community that spread from city-to-city gathering pace, support and momentum as it went. Paris, Toronto, San Francisco and New york have all placed it high on their environmental agendas and in London, Mayor Boris Johnson has launched a Capital Bee campaign to encourage bee-friendly behaviour and community beekeeping throughout the city.

Bees are dependent on flowering plants for resources and flowering plants often depend upon bees for pollination. Being surrounded by the Royal Parks, InterContinental London Park Lane and the Natural Beekeeping Trust have joined forces to install our very own hives on the roof of the hotel.

Under the tutelage of the Trust, the hotel’s ‘Bee Guardians’ will care for colonies housed in Golden Hives on the hotel roof; in exchange, the Natural Beekeeping Trust will receive support from the hotel to develop a Bee Garden at its base in Sussex and to launch a bursary programme.

According to Miranda Hansen Lise, a trustee at Natural Beekeeping, practices such as leaving much of the bees’ honey for them to eat during the winter rather than harvesting it all are crucial to the fight against

the health concerns facing bees globally. “We encourage the practice of sustainable guardianship, allowing bees to express their instincts fully through building their own comb, swarming and overwintering on their own honey, (rather than refined white sugar syrup)”.

As Professor Carol Ann Duffy, Poet Laureate and Patron of the Natural Beekeeping Trust, counsels in her poem Virgil’s Bees, “bees are the batteries of orchards, gardens, guard them”.

To find out more on the Natural Beekeeping Trust, visit www.naturalbeekeepingtrust.org and follow the latest on the hotel’s bees on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/intercontinental.london

THE Buzz AROuND THE GLOBEIn addition to many other environmentally responsible initiatives, a number of InterContinental properties have started on-site apiaries.

INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS IN NORTH AMERICAInterContinental Boston’s ‘Miel Brasserie’ was one of the first to install a rooftop apiary and appropriately so. Miel means ‘honey’ in French, and many of its wonderful culinary concepts feature organically harvested honey taken right from the hotel’s own hive.

InterContinental New York Barclay has had four colonies of honeybees on the hotel’s 15th floor rooftop garden since June 2010. The ‘Barclay Bees’, as they

are affectionately known, play an important role in the pollination of the hotel garden, flying between its rooftop and treetops as far away as Central Park.

In May 2012, InterContinental New York Times Square sent midtown Manhattan buzzing with the installation of its first rooftop beehive. Located on the hotel’s green rooftop, the hive is expected to produce 20-30 pounds of honey in 2013.

INTERCONTINENTAL BERLINBerlin‘s beekeeping boom recently came to public attention when one of the city’s leading hotels, the InterContinental Berlin, installed beehives on their roof. Many other large buildings, like the Berlin legislature’s offices, have also have become home to bee colonies.

A pro-bee initiative, ‘Berlin Buzz’, was recently awarded a federal grant to equip prominent buildings in Berlin with beehives.

INSIDER THE Buzz ON PARk LANE

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INSIDER CHRISTMAS ALL WRAPPED uP

InterContinental.London @ICParkLane

Christmas ALL WRAPPED uPLooking for some festive ‘insider’ inspiration? We have asked our award-winning InterContinental London Park Lane team about their top picks for things to do this Christmas, both in and outside of the hotel.

THASANEE ROBINSON, RESTAuRANT MANAGER AT THEO RANDALL AT THE

INTERCONTINENTAL When my family visits me in London, I am going to take them to the Geffrye Museum. Their ‘Christmas Past’ exhibition highlights how British Christmases have changed over the generations, dating back to the 17th Century.

If you want to brush up on your culinary skills this Christmas, I would recommend one of Chef Theo Randall’s masterclasses. You’ll cook (and best of all, eat) a 3-course meal with wine pairings and learn some great tips from the man himself.

Geffrye Museum – Christmas Past Exhibition, Tuesday 27th November 2012 to Sunday 6th January 2013. Free entry. www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

Theo Randall Masterclasses – available on selected Saturdays. For more information, visit www.theorandall.com

STEFANO FILISTAD, THE ARCH BAR & WELLINGTON LOuNGE MANAGER

If you are looking for fun, you have to go to the Covent Garden Christmas Pudding Race. A collection of festive runners take to the streets in a crazy Christmas tradition that has taken place every year since 1980. Everyone participating must be in Christmas fancy dress and has to carry a Christmas pudding!

For a little Christmas treat after a long day at work, ‘The Instant Energizer’ at Spa InterContinental

is a must. It includes an energizing facial which helps tired, dehydrated skin and helps boost circulation and eliminate the signs of tiredness. You also get to experience my favourite part of the Spa; the dry flotation bed.

Covent Garden Christmas Pudding Race – 1st December, 11am. www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk

Spa InterContinental’s Male Grooming range is available now and starts from £60. Visit www.spaintercontinental.com

PAuL BATES, EXECuTIvE CHEF Be transported back to Christmas in East

London in the 18th Century and visit the Dennis Severs House in Shoreditch. The house is set in a Georgian Terrace close to Spitalfields Market and it is open every evening over Christmas. It is brilliant for the whole family.

If you haven’t been yet, you must try ‘Gin and Jazz’, our monthly showcase of classic cocktails from 1920s era, flapper girls and some of the best live Jazz in London. It’s such a fun evening – I would recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different!

Dennis Severs House – 2nd December 2012 – 4th January 2013. www.dennissevershouse.co.uk

Gin and Jazz – 15th November, 20th December and 17th January. Tables are complimentary but must be booked in advance. Visit www.ginandjazz.com for more information.

SIMON ROSE, HEAD CONCIERGEOne of the highlights of Christmas

for me is a trip down Marylebone High Street. This beautiful street is lined with independent fashion, food, design and book stores that are perfect for browsing. Stop in the La Fromagerie for a cheese tasting or The Ginger Pig for one of the best pies in London then get lost in Daunt Books for a while.

I am very excited to see our sister property launch over the park in Westminster. I am a big fan of the barbecue cooking technique and Blue Boar Smokehouse sounds like it will be an amazing new option on our door step.

Marylebone High Street – www.marylebonevillage.com

InterContinental London Westminster – opening in November 2012. To find out more visit intercontinental.com/Westminster

MARIA SOTO, CLuB INTERCONTINENTAL MANAGER

If you love fashion and films, you cannot miss the Hollywood Costume Exhibition at the V&A Museum.

Some of the most famous costumes in history are on display, including Dorothy’s blue and white pinafore dress from The Wizard of Oz and Johnny Depp’s outfit from Pirates of the Caribbean. Be sure to take your camera!

For the perfect festive weekend treat, Cookbook Cafe’s award-winning brunch offers unlimited trips to the Market Table; with plenty of salads, meats and cheeses. Head to the cooking station where Chef will prepare eggs any which way or a delicious waffle, all served with unlimited Crémant or Bellini’s.

Hollywood Costume Exhibition at the V&A – Until 27th January 2013. www.vam.ac.uk

Cookbook Cafe – weekend brunch from £49 per person. To find out more visit www.cookbookcafe.co.uk

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The ultimate

Gift Guide

Today, Liberty London Managing Director Ed Burstell oversees the iconic store with carefully curated international pieces and fresh British design talent. Ed recently introduced the renegade yearly Open Call concept – a cross between The Antiques Roadshow, The X Factor and Dragon’s Den – where designers from all walks of life come and show their wares to the relevant Liberty buyer and anything that catches their eye gets bought for the store.

Formerly of Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendal in New York, Ed is a global retailing trend expert, and we asked him to unveil his favourite hidden gems in London as well as some of this top picks at Liberty for the Christmas season (the East End features heavily in his picks).

HOuSEHOLD GOODSLabour and Wait 85 Redchurch Street, E2 7DJ

A carefully curated collection of new and vintage items, some of them familiar, others waiting to be discovered.

MENSWEARAnthem 10-12 Calvert Avenue, E2 7JP

The store was founded by award-winning Liberty menswear buyer Simon Spiteri; the man who put the menswear department on the map. The eclectic range spans from the UK to Japan, Dries Van Noten to 45rpm.

ANTIquES

Les Couilles Du Chien 65 Golborne Road, W10 5NP

Known for 20 years within the interior design and decorating trade, Les Couilles Du Chien combines styles and periods with quality and value.

MuSICRough Trade East Dray Walk, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, E1 6QL

Rough Trade West 130 Talbot Road London, W11 1JA

Since 1976 Rough Trade has been celebrating the best British music. With two stores, one in west London and another in east London, it is easy to find a convenient location.

BOOkSDonlon Books 77 Broadway Market, E8 4PH

Home of rare and out-of-print Art Photography books set just off the canal so you can go for a wander afterwards.

Liberty Great Marlborough Street, London, W1B 5AH

+44 (0)20 7734 1234

Mon-Sat: 10.00 – 20.00 Sunday: 12.00 – 18.00

INSIDER THE uLTIMATE GIFT GuIDE

A true embodiment of British creativity in London is Liberty; the iconic emporium that is famed for innovation and eclectic design. The central London store was founded in 1875 by Arthur Liberty, a visionary whose pioneering spirit led him to travel the world looking for individual pieces.

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Ed Burstell’s top picks for this season at Liberty include:

ACCESSORIES 1 Annina Vogel Rose Diamond Ruby Fox 2 Liberty beauty products

(the geranium handwash is a top pick)3 Pomellato Nudo rings 4 Liberty Scarfs (timeless and elegant) 5 Annina Vogel rock + roll diamond 6 Cire Trudon 7 Valentino Double Handle & Burger


By Ed Burstell

One Hamilton Place, Park Lane, London, W1J 7qy+44 (0)20 7409 3131

london.intercontinental.com


Insider Guide to London Winter 2012 - by InterContinental London Park Lane

Documents

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