
Turnips with Tomas Lidakevicius launches Fight the system
One
This February, restaurant Turnips with Tomas Lidakevicius in Borough Market will host “Fight THE SYSTEM” in response to the current negative rhetoric consuming our news and communities. From the 15th to the 25th of February, Tomas and his team will set aside conformist consistency and present dishes that change daily or even by service to reflect available ‘surplus’ produce. The primary intent is creative improvisation, where the chefs take advantage of each available ingredient on their own merit and combine them in a harmony of taste and flavour.
Two
Over the 9 days, the team will offer their tasting menus for almost half the usual price, making their dining experience more accessible to more people. Concentrating on the surplus from their own kitchen and their trusted suppliers’ networks, their hope is to bring some joy while highlighting how perfectly good ingredients still remain side-lined and classified as ‘leftover’ or ‘surplus’.
Three
Chef Tomas Lidakevicius says, “The idea of the initiative came from the discontent and antipathy we all seem to be feeling: if it’s not the cost-of living it’s Covid; if it’s not Covid it’s Brexit; if it’s not Brexit, then we have the parliamentary merry-go-round to delight in. Quite simply we want to set aside cost and celebrate value and have some fun in our own way.”
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A gem at the heart of one of the most iconic London locations, Turnips with Tomas Lidakevicius offers seasonal creative modern dishes starring world-class vegetables. Born from the collaboration with Turnips owner, Charlie Foster (5th generation greengrocer) the venture started as a pop-up in the middle of the 2020 lockdown and soon became a permanent operation. Both the small plates selection and tasting menu showcase an instinctual and beautifully presented cooking style that follows the micro seasonality of the ingredients.
Five
The wine pairing will mirror the food concept, thanks to the invaluable relationship with their market neighbour, Dynamic Wines. The list will favor natural and biodynamic producers who focus on minimal waste, no pesticides or chemical fertilizers and bottles that celebrate the quality and purity of the grape itself.