London Branch Members happily gathered at Bakers’ Hall near the Tower of London, for our Christmas celebration. The Worshipful Company of Bakers has owned the site of Bakers’ Hall since 1505 and has lost three previous Halls to fire, the first during the Great Fire of London which allegedly started in a bakery in nearby Pudding Lane.
Despite its now modern (but warmly welcoming!) Hall, the Bakers’ Livery Company, 19th in the order of precedence, is one of the oldest City of London Liveries, with a history dating back over 800 years. The first known records of the existence of the Bakers’ Guild are contained in the great ‘Pipe Rolls’ of Henry II which listed the yearly ‘farm’ paid to the Crown. It is shown that the Bakers of London paid a Mark of gold to the King’s Exchequer for their Guild from 1155 AD onwards.
The excellent catering was provided by the caterers The Cook & The Butler (considered by some to be the best in the City).
Naturally we started with a drinks reception of Le Baron de Beaumont Blanc de Blancs. The sumptuous dinner consisted of:
- Cornish Fillet of Sea Bass in a crispy batter, caper & basil purée with saffron sauce
- Roast Boned Quail stuffed with Plum & Cranberry, fondant potatoes, Romanesco & purple cauliflower
- Egremont Russet Caramelised Apple Tart with cinnamon crumble, Honey Crème Anglaise & Toffee Ice Cream
- Stinking Bishop Cheese on Granary Croȗte with Rocket Salad & malted vinegar dressing
followed by coffee or tea and chocolate truffles, and a glass of port or cognac.
The accompanying wines were:
- 2022 Pardina/Chardonnay El Zafiro 2022
- 2022 Fincas de Azabache Rioja .
This was a worthy start to our Christmas revelries, and many thanks to Roger Ellis who organised it all so well.
Rachel Burnett