Mouthwatering menus created by five of Britain’s best chefs have been announced for The Alfresco Theatre Drive-In coming to Hertfordshire this summer.
From the team behind St Albans' Pub in the Park festival, the drive-in theatre, live music, comedy and films extravaganza will take over the Hertfordshire Showground from Wednesday, June 2 to Sunday, June 6.
As well as movie screenings including The Greatest Showman, Bohemian Rhapsody, Frozen, Dirty Dancing and Grease, and the return of Mark Watson's Carpool Comedy Club, the event also features the ultimate travelling restaurant.
The Alfresco Diner will be serving up one-off dishes from superstar chefs Tom Kerridge, Rick Stein, Atul Kochhar, Paul Ainsworth and Jason Atherton.
Dishes included Tom Kerridge’s mouthwatering Smoked Applewood Cheeseburger, Paul’s Slow Roast Pork Burger complete with crackling, Rick’s Panzanella Salad and Smoked Mackerel Pate and more.
The Alfresco Diner is the only place in the UK foodies will be able to taste these incredible dishes this summer – all while enjoying a live show, comedy gig, or big-screen movie.
TV celebrity and Michelin-starred chef Tom Kerridge said: "I’m so excited to be working with some great pals and top chefs to bring a lush menu to The Alfresco Theatre Drive-in Tour.
"We all deserve a bit of fun this summer and I can’t wait for everyone to dig into some great food whilst watching some quality live gigs!”
The exclusive menu will feature Tom Kerridge’s Smoked Applewood Cheeseburger with dill pickles and red cabbage slaw, as well as Tom’s delicious Vegan Chipotle Chilli with steamed rice, guacamole, sour ‘cream’ and lime.
Atul Kochhar will be serving up his flavourful Chicken Malabar Curry & Naan served with a kachumber salad.
Paul Ainsworth brings his melt-in-your-mouth Slow Roast Pork with crackling, triple mustard celeriac remoulade and sage and onion stuffing to the party.
Meanwhile, Jason Atherton’s Picnic Box will take outdoor lunches to the next level.
The tantalising menu also includes Rick Stein’s Panzanella Salad and smoked Mackerel Pate served with a sourdough roll and bread and butter pickles. Hungry yet?
The dishes will be available to pre-book ahead of arrival at your chosen Alfresco show.
Jason Atherton said: “We’ve all missed tucking into some fantastic food over the past year, and I’m so excited to be working with other amazing chefs to bring such a great menu to the tour.
"I can’t wait for everyone to experience the dishes we’ve created, whilst watching some brilliant live entertainment!”
Designed as a COVID-compliant event for the times, foodie fanatics in St Albans will be able to tuck into the very best dishes, all while watching a stellar line-up of laugh-out-loud comedy from the likes of Mark Watson, Dara Ó Briain and Felicity Ward, blockbuster movies including Jurassic Park and Wonder Woman 1984, and toe-tapping live music from Spice Girls tribute SPICE and Björn Again: The ABBA Show.
As well as kids' movie Trolls: World Tour, youngsters can enjoy family friendly show The Gruffalo Live on stage.
The Alfresco Theatre’s roaming bar will also be on hand serving a range of delicious drinks and snacks.
As well as a selection of popcorn, crisps and sweets, party-goers can enjoy craft cocktails from the East London Liquor company, a refreshing Birra Moretti Beer, award-winning English wine from Three Choirs, and alcohol-free drinks for the designated drivers.
So what are the main meal menu options at The Alfresco Theatre Drive-In?
The Tom
Tom Kerridge’s 6-Ounce Angus Burger with Smoked Applewood Cheese, Red Onion Jam, Dill Pickles and Burger Sauce. Served in a Hovis pretzel bun, with a side of Red Cabbage Slaw.
Tom’s Vegan Chilli (VG)(GF)
Tom Kerridge's 5-Bean Chipotle Chilli with Steamed Rice, Guacamole and Sour ‘Cream' and lime.
Tom's Veggie Picnic Box (V)
Tom Kerridge's Veggie Picnic Box with a Cheese, Leek and Truffle Quiche, British Cheese Selection, Chutney and Oat Cracker, Feta Cocktail Potato Salad, Vegetable Crisps, Hummus and Crudité.
The Atul
Atul Kochhar's Chicken Malabar Curry with Naan Bread and Kachumber Salad.
The Paul
Paul Ainsworth's Slow Roast Pork Burger, Bramley Ketchup, Crackling, Triple Mustard Celeriac Remoulade, with a Sage and Onion Stuffing. Served in a Hovis pretzel bun.
The Jason
Jason Atherton's Picnic Box, with a Cheddar, Leek and Truffle Quiche, Hot Smoked Salmon Potato Salad with Cocktail Sauce, British Cheese Selection with Apple Chutney and Oat Crackers, Blythburgh Pork Rillette, Piccalilli and Sourdough Bread Roll. (Picnic box for one.)
The Rick
Rick Stein's Smoked Mackerel Pate, served with Panzanella Salad (Tuscan salad of croutons, tomato, cucumber, roasted red pepper and garlic with capers, olives and basil) and Prosciutto Crudo, Bread and Butter Pickles, and Sourdough Bread Roll. (Meal for one.)
Kids Menu
Alfresco Kid's Cheeseburger
Tom Kerridge's Kids Cheeseburger served with Tomato Ketchup in a Brioche Bun.
Alfresco Kid's Picnic Box
Traditional Sausage Roll, Fruit Yoghurt, Mild Cheddar with Crackers, Hummus and Crudité.
Desserts
The Vegan Choc Brownie
Dark Chocolate Brownie
Indulgent Choc Mousse
Milk Chocolate Mousse, Dulce de Leche, White Chocolate Shavings and Fudge Pieces.
For more information on menu prices, allergens, and to purchase tickets, visit www.thealfrescotheatre.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here