Flavour of the month

Sodexo Prestige's winning canapé, 'A Flavour of the Social Season', was a buttermilk and rosemary sweet corn fritter with peppered confit of rabbit, an apple glaze and watercress puree.

The Square Meal Canapé Cup was a new feature at Square Meal's Venues & Events exhibition, held at London's Old Billingsgate on 17 and 18 September 2008. The competition was designed to set the gold standard for caterers and venues that provide canapés for events.

Pre-registered visitors were invited to apply to become 'VIP tasters' and 250 were picked to judge the 10 best submitted canapés at an exclusive blind tasting party during the show. First, second and third places were announced at the exhibition, and Sodexo Prestige, the overall first prize winner, was presented with the Square Meal Canapé Cup and the Critics' Choice Award.

Graham Hill from Square Meal said: “Sodexo Prestige's 'A Flavour of the Social Season' canapé really did win both the inaugural Square Meal Canapé Cup and the competition's Critics' Choice Award, outright. It really delivered on taste, with that hint of cayenne heat just setting off the pungent rabbit flavour perfectly. I tasted it with two Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines, who also voiced his approval. Michael felt the quality of all the entries was very high indeed, while the judging visitors absolutely loved the event. When I first heard the words 'Square Meal Canapé Cup', I knew we were onto a winner, as were Sodexo Prestige with 'A Flavour of the Social Season'.”

On collecting the award, Malcolm Emery, executive chef for Sodexo Prestige, said, “We are really delighted to have won this award as we were up against stiff competition and it is tough to be judged by so many people with, naturally, different tastes. We work hard to create food that is innovative, creative and delicious and we feel that this award recognises that we have succeeded in this quest.”

Sodexo Prestige is the UK's largest event caterer and provider of corporate hospitality packages. The company provides catering at prestigious events such as the Chelsea Flower Show and Royal Ascot and catering at permanent visitor attractions such as Blenheim Palace and Knebworth House.

Square Meal is an annual restaurant, bar, venues and events guide that includes more than 2,700 independent restaurant reviews and lists some 1000 venues and events companies.