Monday night I had the opportunity to attend a Bombay Sapphire promotional event featuring Merlin Griffiths and Food Network Canada’s Rob Rainford from License to Grill. Merlin Griffiths mixed gin cocktails while Rob Rainford pulled out the grill on a fine spring day in Toronto and gave us grilling tips for the summer.
For me, the highlight of the evening had to be when Rob Rainford made a melon soup, spiked with gin of course, where he smoked the melon in the grill. The smoky flavour in the sweet melon soup was amazing and I am definitely going to have to try smoking some melon this summer. Who would have thought to smoke a melon in the barbecue?
I brought my camera and took some photos of the event which I have uploaded to my Flickr Photo Gallery.
Nice pictures! Looks like a lot fun! 😀 I can't wait to come back to Toronto now (It's almost patio season!)
Looks great Kevin!! I'm sure you had a fabulous time.
Smoky melon…very creative. Wish it was spring out here in Sask. I woke up to snow on the ground.
I love Bombay Sapphire… why wasn't I invited? hehe! 🙂
Sounds like a great event Kevin. I love Rob Rainford whose recipes show up on my grill quite often.
I'm sure you had a great time!
Cheers,
Rosa
I'm intrigued by the soup. I wouldn't know where to start but I'd definitely like to try this as I like melon in soups. (Check out my site for a melon gazpacho recipe). Did he give you any tips on how to get a good result with the smoking? If I can figure it out, I might even have to try smoked melon gazpacho…
Greeting from Gibraltar.
Brian
Your pictures are so amazing! What kind of camera are you using?
yes being outside for a food event, well there's nothing like it. we had a long winter, and it's been so nice outside. i know you get nasty winters too. going over to flickr now….
Cool!
brian_in_gib: The recipes from the event are here. It seems pretty easy; you heat up the coals, throw the wood chips on to them and let them start smoking then place the halved melon on the top rack of your grill (indirect heat) for 15-20 minutes.
Mausi: I was using a Canon 7D with the 17-55 2.8IS lens.
I've always liked Rob Rainford and even more now that he's toned down his enthusiasm a little 🙂
Hey Kevin, we met Merlin at a similar event in Montreal last week. It's neat how Bombay Sapphire works with local chefs rather than touring with someone. Must have been a blast to see Rob Rainford live. Anyway, we love your blog! Cheers!
Thanks for coming, Kevin! Your pictures look great.