This summer the seaside city of Santa Monica in California is twinned with Brighton and Hove. With food being such an important part of the offering of both locations, Nick Mosley takes a look at what is being served up.
Santa Monica’s food scene is the reputed birthplace of Californian cuisine and ‘fusion’ marked by a blend of culinary styles and the freshest of organic ingredients. In July and August, a unique collaboration is designed to bring a taste of LA’s beach city to Brighton to celebrate the new city-to-city partnership.
A number of food-led events and menu takeovers will be happening, including US chefs Josiah Citrin and Govind Armstrong presenting at the Shelter Hall.
“The dishes we have chosen incorporate fresh local produce, such as the Market Squash and West Coast peach Tostada”, said Mark Rush, Executive Development Chef at Shelter Hall who has been supporting the duo.
“This is infused with Californian-style cooking techniques, and signature Santa Monica inspired ingredients which feature in dishes such as the Sea Bass and King Prawn Ceviche. Other items to look forward to on the new menu, which will be available until end of August, include the Dirty Chicken Caesar Salad, Crispy Calamari and Prawns, and Dirty Chicken and Fries”.
“The assortment of styles and flavours presented in each mouthful are a clear tribute to the meticulous work that has gone into curating this menu. This, combined with our amazing location on Brighton’s iconic seafront and a stellar line-up of Santa Monica inspired events that we have planned at Skylark Bar and Zest, have all the ingredients for success.”
The two chefs are also working with Brighton’s Dan Kenny of The Set. Together they will be offering a Santa Monica inspired tasting menu.
“The menu curation has been in discussion for some time and it has been great to work with Dan and share ideas on how to bring a taste of my home city, Santa Monica, to his restaurant this July”, said Michelin-starred chef Josiah Citrin.
“Dan is an accomplished chef who shares the same attention to detail and passion for what he creates that I do and I look forward to finally standing shoulder to shoulder with him when we launch the new menu in Brighton.”
Misti Kerns, president and CEO of Santa Monica Travel and Tourism, believes this summer’s promotion will be the start of an on-going mutually beneficial partnership.
“We see this events programme in Brighton as the first in a series of exchanges and experiential activities which will see both cities promote the tourism, food and cultural links between one another,” said Misti.
“This agreement will be made official in a signing ceremony which will take place on 29 July where the two cities’ Mayors will join forces to sign the Friendship Cities agreement before unveiling a dedicated mural by Santa Monica street artist, Ruben Rojas, in honour of the partnership at Brighton’s Palace Pier.”
Full details of the events can be found at www.SantaMonicaLovesBrighton.com
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