Have you heard about the (Absurd) bird? New restaurant coming soon to Exeter

Last week I was invited to the launch of new restaurant Absurd Bird at Exeter Cookery School.

Absurd bird’s menu is inspired by food from the Deep South.  Merging fine dining and street food, it is aimed at the ever flourishing premium chicken market.

We were welcomed with cocktails and an introduction to Absurd Bird‘s very own Moonshine, which (to my surprise) I discovered is a type of Bourbon – I thought that during prohibition it was pretty much pure meths.

The team from Absurd Bird demo’d some cocktails from their menu, created in collaboration with Soul Shakers. The ones we sampled were very tasty and despite the addition of the moonshine didn’t make me blind *phew*.

Absurd Bird are determined not to be seen as just another brand on the High Street, their menu includes twists on Southern American classics like, sweet potato bake (topped with marshmallows), chicken and waffles (with smoked sweet gravy and maple) and Dirty Buns (Bao buns with fried chicken, pickle and spicy mayo).

Pic used with permission from Absurd Bird

Mark Hall, the Group Operations Director explained that they had chosen Exeter for their first restaurant outside of London for its “vibrancy.. because it’s growing and thriving and because it is an amazing city” – we can agree with that statement!

After the cocktails we were introduced to Andrew Hazel the company’s very charming Head of Food Ops, who talked us through the Philosophy of the company.  He made it very clear that Absurd Bird only use good quality free range chicken from Fosse Meadows Farm, and that they use the whole chicken. I then witnessed my first ever spatchcocking (which made me feel a little bit sick).

Andrew demo’d some of the dishes for us including veggie options: spinach and artichoke dip with fried tortilla chips (which was VERY tasty), quinoa and pomegranate salad and their take on the classic Mac n Cheese and we all had a taster and then it was our turn for a cook off.

I teamed up with fellow Bloggers Gina and Clio and we had a giggle recreating some recipes against the other local blogger teams. We didn’t win the moonshine but our team name (Four birds and a spatchcock) went down well.

Exeter Cookery school is a lovely venue, Jim and Lucy are very welcoming and I had a fab (slightly intoxicated) night.

Massive thanks to all involved.

*I should point out that I am a vegetarian. Not the kind of vegetarian that thinks everyone else should be vegetarian, but the kind who believes that if you do choose to eat meat you should make sure it’s responsibly sourced and respectfully reared.  Absurd Bird do just this (I wouldn’t include them on my blog if they didn’t).  I can’t vouch for the taste of the chicken (obvs I didn’t eat it) but I can tell you the veggie options, the cocktails and the moonshine were pretty darn good and we will definitely be popping in to eat once the restaurant is open.