The Bourbon Boucheries

Boucherie.

Be careful, or that’s where you might end up after one of these big Southern-style celebrations, happening in honour of the warmer weather, at Islington‘s New-Orleans themed boozer Plaquemine Lock this summer.

Like any traditional Cajun boucherie, this series of three events will see friends, family and maybe a few strangers (who are no longer strangers by the end of the night) band together to consume large quantities of food (and booze) to the sound of live music.

Fortunately, like any really great party, you won’t be the one doing the cooking. Instead, that responsibility has been generously taken on by three of London’s top chefs who – whilst you take it easy sipping on a cold Mint Julep – will be firing up the grills to showcase a never-before-tried menu of dishes, riffing on Cajun and Creole cuisine.

Guest chef number one is Slade Rushing of Louie (the aptly-named Louisiana-inspired spot in Covent Garden). On his menu, you’ll find:

• Smoked pig cheek grillades served with spring onion grits and trinity brunoise
• Egg yolk carpaccio with Creole spiced prawns, nduja vinaigrette and crispy sweet potato
• Southern pecan pie with maple curd and pecan tuile
• Caramelised french toast with brown sugar glazed bananas

Second up in the kitchen is Ruben Dawnay from Naughty Piglets (the natural wine bar in Brixton that also serves some pretty great French grub). He’ll be offering:

• BBQ pork banh mi with a fiery green chilli slaw
• Confit duck spring rolls
• Vietnamese Coffee Creme Caramel

Last but not least it’s Michael Gratz of Prairie Fire (BBQ from Kansas City in White City, purveyor of all things smoked and slow-cooked) closing the show with full racks of sticky smoked baby back ribs, served alongside slow cooked hickory pit beans with burnt ends, cheesy-charred corn and tangy coleslaw.

And then there’s the booze, taking the form of whiskey-based cocktails to ensure appropriate inebriation standards are met. And to help with the dancing, a rotating line-up of local jazz musicians playing throughout.

How’s that for southern hospitality?

NOTE: The Bourbon Boucherie series takes place on June 25 (Slade Rushing) July 31 (Ruben Dawnay) and August 6 (Michael Gratz). Each event kicks off from midday until late. You can book a table as usual on the date you prefer via the website here.

Plaquemine Lock | 139 Graham Street, N1 8LB

Looking for more places to fill your boucherie? Take a look at our Islington area guide.