The Inauguration of the Marmarati

Once in a while you get an invitation you can't refuse. An email, inviting me to a secret and rare event revealing Marmite's Inner Circle. A follow-up 'phone call from the utmost poshest accented Fotherington-Smythe and I received the above.

So on a dark, rainy night I made my way to No. 5 Cavendish Square. Early as usual, we had a drink in the bar before going upstairs, where the event was happening. We got chatting to the other invitees over never-ending glasses of Champagne, while a man tinkled on a ivory-white piano. Before long, a curtain was pulled back to reveal a richly and sumptuously decorated long table.

It looked festive. Large acid-red bunches of cherries were laid alongside bouquets of red and gold flowers. We had name cards to dictate where we were to sit. A blindfold accompanied each place. I let out a nervous giggle. Our host of the night was in a pirate get up and talked us through what was happening. We were made to stand, swear an oath of allegiance to Marmite, and were introuced to the Marmite team.

Blindfolds on, we were given small silver pots of Marmite to taste. Shooters of lemony lime sorbet in between each tasting (of which there were three) cleansed the palate. Champagne glasses were topped up regularly. I'm afraid I didn't catch the names of any of the variants (if there were any?). Of the three, my favourite was the third, and I think it was the strongest. It had a deep, unctuous and mouthwatering flavour, the kind of intense savouriness that makes your mouth pucker up a bit.

With that, we wrote our comments, posted them into a wooden treasure chest and were back in the bar. Marmite cocktails, decorated with a sprig of rosemary tasted of coffee with the barest hint of the yeast extract. Nibbles came with a Marmite dip (natch). Lord Marmarati signed us our inauguration certificates.

It was a fantastic event and only made me love Marmite more. It was so well executed with a bit of quirky creativity; booze was free flowing and the entertainment was excellent. The end of the evening was a little more than hazy and it was rather a surprise when I found this photo...

http://www.marmarati.org/

Marmite also have a pop-up shop, on Regent Street - link HERE.