On 16th April 2024, a showcase of culinary excellence took place at the Royal Air Force Club for our Spring Gourmet Dinner. 

After the Champagne Reception in the Churchill Bar, Club Vice Chair Adam Wardrope welcomed attendees into our intimate Library for the Gourmet Dinner where they enjoyed the fantastic dishes listed below. We were thrilled to welcome Guest Speaker Max Bergius, an acclaimed fish smoker and owner of the 'Secret Smokehouse', the home of London's best smoked salmon. Providing the finest seafood ingredients, Max shared his story whilst our Chefs led by Executive Chef Michael Dutnall, created four incredible courses paired with matching wines.

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Hot smoked salmon & crab risotto, peas, broad beans confit egg yolk, soft herbs

Smoked salmon roulade, sauce vert, salmon caviar, fleuron

Supreme of Cod, spring vegetables, smoked roe chowder, asparagus, wild garlic, samphire

Vanilla & passion fruit souffle, raspberry sorbet, macerated raspberry, with balsamic & mint

ABOUT THE SECRET SMOKEHOUSE

Secret Smokehouse founder, Max, hails from the West Coast of Scotland, where he began smoking fish at a young age. He since trained closer to his new home, Stepney, at London’s Billingsgate Seafood Training School under the watchful eye of Adam Whittle & Charlie Casey.  

Keen to stay true to the original ethos and techniques of London’s previous generations of smokers, Max has honed his skills to produce handcrafted oak smoked fish cured in London to the highest possible quality. 

After a period working at a fishmonger, Max set out alone, launching Secret Smokehouse from his very own back garden. He now smokes salmon, trout, kippers and haddock in Arch 378 Mentmore Terrace, E8 3PH next to Hackney’s London Fields, and supplies some of the best in the business - from Michelin Star chefs to London’s most exciting new food ventures.

Secret Smokehouse fish can be found in multiple Michelin Star restaurants here in London including:

- Claude Bosi at Bibendum, Chelsea [2 x Michelin Star chef]
- Dinner by Heston, Knightsbridge [2 x Michelin Stars]
- Core by Clare Smyth, Notting Hill [2 x Michelin Star Chef]
- Ritz, St. James [1 x Michelin Star]
- Leroy, Shoreditch [1 x Michelin Star]
- Marksman Pub, Hackney [Michelin Pub of the Year 2017]
- Wiltons, Mayfair [established in 1742]