From Monday 7th – 13th August, the Mailbox will host its much-anticipated Taste of the Mailbox festival – a week of exclusive food and drink events, masterclasses, tastings and live demos.
Throughout the week, visitors to the Mailbox will be treated to tempting complimentary food and drink samples from a selection of exciting bars and restaurants.
Kicking off the weekend events is the Taste of the Mailbox Food Tour on the evening of Friday 11th August. For just £50 a ticket, the exclusive Food Tour will give 12 food lovers a true taste of what the Mailbox has to offer with an aperitif, starter, main and dessert course at Harvey Nichols, Gas Street Social, Tom’s Kitchen and Chez Mal.
On Saturday 12th August, the Mailbox will welcome a host of experts through its doors. At 12pm and 3pm, Birmingham cook, tutor, food stylist and photographer, Lap-fai Lee will host an Asian Seafood Feast and Masterclass at the Mailbox’s sleek kitchen showroom, Kitchen Gallery. Under the trusted supervision of Lap, guests will try their hand at a number of Asian-influenced dishes including sushi, scallops and red curry king prawns, before taking a seat in Kitchen Gallery’s dining room and tucking into their seafood feast.
That day will also see the arrival of wine expert, Jane Parkinson. Best-known for her role on BBC1 Saturday Kitchen Live, Jane is a UK-based journalists, author and broadcaster who writes for the likes of Stylist, Telegraph, GQ, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle. Jane will join Harvey Nichols’ wine specialist, Siofra O’Brien, in the stunning Wine Shop as they guide ticket-holders through a range of contemporary and classic wine accompanied by cheese plates.
On Sunday 13th August, Harvey Nichols is teaming up with iconic Birmingham restaurant, The Wilderness, for a tongue-in-cheek celebration of the traditional English holiday. This one-night only collaboration will see much-applauded head chef, Alex Claridge, take over the kitchen at the luxury store to create an unusual spin on British summertime.
Inspired by his own childhood holiday experiences, the evening will include an exciting six-course dinner, while the star attraction will be The Wilderness’ customised gothic ice cream van.
Tickets are now sold out for the restaurant but bar reservations are still being taken. The bar pop-up will offer a selection of drinks matched to the dishes, as well as a menu of specially-created cocktails.
A food festival just wouldn’t be the same without chocolate, so prepare your tastebuds for a very special screening at Everyman Birmingham on Sunday 13th August. For just £5 per person, join Everyman for an exclusive screening of cult foodie film, Chocolat, whilst being treated to a complimentary chocolates and a mimosa.
David Pardoe, head of retail, marketing and tenant engagement, comments: “The Mailbox is home to a number of varied and exciting bars and restaurants, and Taste of the Mailbox is the perfect opportunity to showcase everything we have to offer.
“From masterclasses with experts to pop-up demonstrations and complimentary food sampling, there’s something to suit everyone next week – whether you’re a novice or a self-confessed foodie.”
Tickets are still available but selling fast. Go to www.mailboxlife.com.