KOL in London is set to host four British culinary stars for an exciting collaborative dinner to celebrate the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) 2023.
On the 2nd November and for one evening only, 1 Michelin-starred KOL’s Chef Patron, Santiago Lastra will bring together chef friends from London – Andrew Wong of 2 Michelin-starred restaurant A.Wong, the only Chinese restaurant outside Asia with this accolade; Jeremy Chan of 2 Michelin starred Ikoyi with its acclaimed, original, spice-based cuisine; James Lowe of 1 Michelin starred Lyle’s focused on micro-seasonal British produce; and from Scotland, Pam Brunton from Michelin Green starred Inver, shaped by the restaurant’s rural ecosystem.
The annual Mexican Día de los Muertos holiday brings together families and whole communities to honour the lives of friends and family who have passed. Far from sombre occasions, the celebrations take place with carnival-like festivities with fireworks, loud music, singing, dancing, and exchanging special gifts like pan de muerta – a sweetened bread, and highly decorative skull-inspired artefacts and sweets. Humorous, mock epitaphs calaveras literarias are read to living friends and acquaintances, with home altars ofrendas filled with the favourite foods and drinks of the departed. Such is the significance of the festival in Mexico that it garnered UNESCO recognition in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
In true Día de los Muertos style, the chefs will work together to create an exciting, innovative 9-course menu that melds individual personal memories, culminating in a culinary journey of connection and celebration.
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The festivities will then continue downstairs to the KOL Mezcaleria after-party, where live music and all the colours of traditional art blend with the myriad flavours of mezcal, welcoming guests to celebrate into the wee small hours in traditional Mexican street style.
