Of course, I am talking about the first (of many) Tastebuds Collaboration Awards!
Swelteringly hot on the 8th of July the Tastebuds team worked in what was possibly the hottest working space beyond Simply Roasted Crisps' ovens – where you ask? well a beautiful stained glass Victorian conservatory known as Carrow Houses Orangery.
Carrow House contains the foot print of the grade-2 listed old Jeramiah Colmans family house, still standing proud with wood panelled rooms, a secret cellar and some hidden safes (locked but probably empty). To the side (the orangery) is what is now a hired function space, a wedding venue a place that can comfortably seat 80 or more people.
As beautiful as this is – as brutalist council office building which is attached to its left – now managed by Sarah from Norwich Unity Hub who have rented spaces out to Charity’s and CIC’s creating a community and shared space under one roof. Five floors in-fact - and coincidently the new home of Tastebuds, who also manage a rentable hot-desking space on the ground floor – offering affordable office space and mentor access to members.
But there is so much more and I am digressing - back to the sweaty set up – no let’s fast forward.
At 5.30pm people from all over the catering and food industry begin to arrive along with collaborative partners like the UEA academics and lecturers alike. We are treated to Oichi non-alcoholic fizzy Kombucha or Norfolk actual boozy fizz from Chet Valley Vineyard (massive thank you to them, both incredible companies). Like did you know - Oichi is run by 3 sisters, all with extremely hard names to remember (they’ll forgive me), they make kombucha single and large bottles from their family of scoby’s in incredibly inventive flavours, often foraged from Norfolk including their FIZZ.
Canapes – brought to us from African Kitchen a local North African caterer. We had mini but filling meat pies, my favourite puff puffs – a Caribbean & African donut, usually served savoury but in this case with some sweet dips and yes I did, multiple times. But that wasn’t it they also had beef and plantain skewers and a super tasty veggie stew with plantain.
We all mingle in the magnificent grounds of Carrow House on this enchanting summer evening dressed with no rules, and networking like professionals, while socialising like foodies.
I met the sisters behind Flour and Bean, started up by their father, a traditional baker – they run it now, with 9 cafes all over Norfolk. Lately they have been altering the look – you may have noticed the one on Colman Road looking beautiful in a heritage green colour. That is their main HQ bakers, surprisingly small I was told with their best bakes being their enormous Belgium bun and their Chocolate Oat Slice. Anyway, I’ve hopefully bagged a look round and will report back in the future – hopefully happy after consuming a Belgium bun as big as a side plate & found out what a choccie oat slice is? And I’ll mention their brother and the sour dough loaves?!
6pm – street food trucks and marquees time, we have Geoff with his Norwich Soul Kitchen to the left offering freshly fried buttermilk soaked crispy as! Chicken or Bajan burgers with halloumi for the veggies. (Available for events he makes a mean Goat Curry with rice and peas.) In front was the Wild Craft brewery bar, offering their selection on tap, bottles and cans with a few local ciders too and of course some softs.
Some Wild Craft facts – they forage ingredients, they have a low carbon footprint, the owners Mike and Mark actually met on Clash of Clans and shared a love of Norwich City Football Club and ale. They’ll be celebrating a decade in 2026. Ps – they also offer brewery tours.
And to the right, to the right – was Doodle Donuts made with possibly sour dough, all handmade and we had around 8 flavours to choose from. I had a biscoff - - but that wasn’t enough (read on)
When we first arrived we got given 3 tokens one for beer, one for food and one for dessert. Unfortunately, I’m not much of a drinker so I started trading – my 1st trade was met by Beantastic Hummus. I then started trading with other people for other tokens – finding beer lovers and dessert dodgers. Hence I took home 2 donuts for the family and either making people drunk or full.
8.30pm – We were all called into the Orangery which was looking magnificently set up for all 80 of us to sit. It was refreshingly cool and the collaboration awards began.
And after all this we were ready to go to bed – good night Tastebuddies and don’t let the pea protein bite. See you in the morning and no sadness that you didn’t win, or you didn’t enter because there is always next year.
Roll on 2026!!
I am Zena, from Love Norwich Food - always happy to help, because I want to, not because I have to.
Photo: Ilian Teles Do Bonfim
