Lockdown has forced the hospitality industry to think outside the box, and forced many to adapt and change to be able to continue running their business and stay afloat. It has also been a time of great creativity, innovation and ingenuity bringing new businesses to the fore and almost forcing the hand of some to take the risk and open a business.

But with lockdown beginning to ease, we can start to plan a little ahead and daydream a little more about the future.

2020 is most definitely a write-off when it comes to events, and it’s sad really, as events are what unites us. They bring us together and they bring joy and part of that is sharing food.

This brings me onto Shardana Catering. Shardana has been around for a few years and initially started off selling street food and Sardinian products from artisan producers; pecorino cheese, carasau bread and charcuterie at Farmers Markets. From this sprung Shardana Food and Catering.

REVIEW OF SHARDANA CATERING EDINBURGH

After spending this time in lockdown developing and refining new recipes and dishes, they are now looking forward and focusing on catering for small dinner parties or private functions (ensuring firm health and safety standards and Covid regulations). For the moment they are concentrating on private cheffing at the weekends and providing catering for small corporate functions as we all start to slowly move back into the work place, during the week.

I got to trial out some of their food and for outside catering, the food is well portioned and tasty.

Handmade smoked duck breast, pan fried asparagus, rocket and truffle oil.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this, so it was a surprise that it was served like this in thin slices. You couldn’t tell it was duck but certainly tasted the smokiness. It was very tender and silky.

Braised slow cooked Ox Cheek with smoked mash potatoes and root vegetables served with a beef jus.

Decent sized portion for one person. The Ox Cheek fell apart and loved it with the smoked mash potatoes.

Cream Bomboloni -fluffy pillows of rich and tender fried pastry dough rolled in sugar and filled with velvety Crema Pasticcera {Italian Pastry Cream}.

These were a real treat at the end. I love anything lemon and citrus and these certainly were filled to the brim with lush lemon custard. Delicious.

To finish some grapes and cherries.

Thinking about external catering for a group, corporate event, wedding, birthday; this food would go down well. The choices are easy on the palate and they offer choices for pescatarians and vegetarians too. They pride themselves on using good quality Scottish produce and will most definitely put their Italian Sardinian twist on the menu.

Shardana Food and Catering Edinburgh. Contact them via their website www.shardanacatering.co.uk

I was asked to honestly review Shardana Catering’s food. The food was complimentary but the views are very much my own.