On the 10/06/08 I went along with Whats On in Brum to the launch of Taste of Birmingham at Brindley Place, where top chefs Surachet Patpun, Aktar Islam and Chris Duffy from Thai Edge, Lasan, and Falini cooked up a storm on a BBQ in front of Thai Edge. Each prepared a dish, whilst explaining to the gathered crowds not only the ingredients and recipe, but also the reasons behind their choice and combinations. It was all very much in the style of any good television cookery programme.

Celebrity chef Atul Kochhar was present to have a taste and judge between the three prepared dishes – although when it came down to making a decision as to a winner he was diplomatically vague, saying that they were all fantastic.

I was a personal fan of Chris Duffy’s Sea Bass, not least because there was a decent amount of it to go round for tasting – though be wary of bones, as they are sharp enough to pierce your lip.

Now in its third consecutive year, Taste of Birmingham will celebrate the very best cuisine the Midlandsí offers in the beautiful surroundings of Cannon Hill Park, from Thursday 10th July to Sunday 13th July 2008. Get down there and get involved with food.