Blokes Eat Beef

What a title. As Rolf would say, “can you guess what it is yet?” – simply, an event to celebrate the wonders of beef, and blokes.

On one fateful night, a group of girls were expressing their adoration of steak – and came upon the idea of a ‘Girls Steak Club’. Now, many of us guys attempted to partake, including the admission that they might even wear dresses and wigs – but alas all our efforts were curtailed. It was not for boys.

Simon Majumdar put a tweet out the effect of, what blokes want to eat some beef. A hashtag was assembed, #blokeseatbeef, and we were ready to go. Now as soon as I saw this conversation occuring, I knew I had to get into the fray. Nevermind the small matter that I live in Birmingham, I had to be there.

Due to the different city, it allowed a three day excursion of eating and drinking – not too much of a hardlife. Earlier in the evening I met some of the guys in Hix, which is not exactly the easiest place to identify – with the smallest nameplate ever to grace the planet. I may have been teased for admiting that I had done a ‘rekkie’ of the site the previous day, but my companion was about to walk straight by!

Now cocktails, truly are manly – not those with the raspberries and all – I’m talking about straight cold alcohol, mixed with alcohol. A quick perusal of the cocktail list indicated it had to be the Negroni, a cocktail likely to prove manliness. I convinced the others that it was the drink to have – some of which may have regretted listening to me.

A stumble quick walk up the road from Hix, led us into the main event at Goodmans. Walking through the restaurant to the backroom, camera viking helmet in hand I felt ready. Ready? Indeed – as rumours that morning had indicated that there may have been 36KG of beef, for 25 people. I’m sure thats enough to feed a small army squad.

First came the next manly drink, Chapel Down Sparkling Rose – OK, I know it’s not ale – but we are distinguished gentlemen; not just blokes. And we were quickly settled in our ringside seats to hear John Cadieux take us through the beef on offer for that evening. Everyone was transfixed, on tales of comparison to dead bodies, and the merits of aging beef and the provenance of beef affecting the flavour.

We had the man himself Frank Hederman talk to us about his Salmon, which was served two ways. Firstly simply sliced thickly, with wheaten bread. Secondly, mixed with cucumber and creme fraiche. I really enjoyed the thick cuts of salmon, unadulterated taste without being overpowering.

Now, considering this was all about the beef, the menu could so far be considered vegetarian. Plates and plates of the four cuts were brought out to the tables, labelled by number so that we could choose which out of the USDA from Nebraska, Belted Gallway from the Lake District, Charalais/Limosin from Scotland and Black Angus from Ireland were truly the best.

Now, each piece along could have done me fine – but it was my duty to continue, with a small helping of bernaise and peppercorn sauce, a couple of onion rings; and leaving the ‘token salad’ in the bowl. After working through the food I fed full, but yet more trays of beef arrived, and again the room was full of beef eating action, it was true blue bloke on beef action throughout the room. The action only disturbed by chatter about the beef, and to consume the Malbec that kept on appearing in our glasses.

I adored cut #3, which turned out to be the Scottish Charalais – I know what I’ll be ordering if I’m back in Goodmans anytime soon.

We also partook in dessert, the Cheesecake was a winner for me – even after all that food, and a slight nibbling of cheddar (as I try to work out the differences with my cheese phobia – no stinking bishop for me!

Overall a great night was had, a little bit of food was consumed, and a stumble home occurred.

I’ll the pictures give you an idea: