A Sunday lunch that promises to be a perfect 10
M elissa Sargin is an events manager at Blueprint Café, one of the host restaurants for the American Express® 10-10-10 event, as part of this year’s London Restaurant Festival. She tells us what this relaxed riverside restaurant has to offer and how they’re celebrating this new event.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AND WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT IT?
“My job is Front of House as well as events manager; one of my main responsibilities is to look after the diners and ensure they have a wonderful experience. I enjoy greeting people and looking after them; I turn into a bit of a mother hen! I’m in the office sometimes but I get a great buzz out of working in the restaurant; it’s where I prefer to be.”
WHAT MAKES BLUEPRINT CAFÉ SPECIAL?
“Jeremy Lee, the chef. I’m so totally inspired by him; I really admire his style. There is no fuss, no frills. He knows his food so well and he gets great produce that doesn’t need tampering with. Although the views here are fantastic, they are a bonus. The food is the main event. I’m proud to serve his food, it’s not pretentious in the slightest. If you enjoy good food and good wine, you’ll be happy.”
BLUEPRINT CAFÉ IS INVOLVED IN THE LONDON RESTAURANT FESTIVAL – ARE YOU DOING ANYTHING SPECIAL?
“Yes. We’re participating in American Express 10-10-10. It’s an exclusive event for American Express customers and we’re partnering with The Three Chimneys in Isle of Skye and their chef Michael Smith to create a unique Sunday lunch. Like many great London restaurants, this lunch will encourage Londoners to make the most of the many diverse and exciting restaurants that are available to them. I’m really looking forward to setting it up actually.”
ANY INSIDERS’ TIPS FOR GETTING THE BEST OUT OF BLUEPRINT CAFÉ?
“There’s a little terrace that not many people know about that’s open even when the restaurant isn’t; it’s a great place for tea and cake.”
Taking place on 10 October 2010, American Express 10-10-10 will see ten celebrated chefs from outside London pairing up with ten of their equally renowned London peers to offer a unique collaborative menu for Sunday lunch in each of the host restaurants.
London Restaurant Festival forms part of American Express’ Preferred Seating Programme, which provides Cardmembers with exclusive offers to a host of cultural events, helping them to create some truly memorable moments.
For more information, visit
londonrestaurantfestival.com