Imagine my delight when I was asked if I wanted to be involved in preparing a feast with Moda Living, The Lexington Virtual Chef’s Table in partnership with Maray. I have been to Maray countless times and love all their food. I first went near Christmas (years ago when were allowed out and in restaurants with groups. Remember that?! 😉 ) where they did many of the dishes for a set price. It was perfect as I got to try everything and decide on my yummy favourites.
With working from home, I spotted my (huge! Didn’t realise it would be so big!) box arrive and ran downstairs to open with eagerness. The event started at 7pm so I got all the bits ready and was excited to see what was going to happen.
Firstly, we were told to pour ourselves a gin. No problem! It was by Liverpool Gin and we were told it had American style flavours – I could taste a hint of apple pie. Yummy!
Next, we were given an introduction into Moda. Personally, I had never heard of them so it was really interesting to hear about the family company and that the Grandad had grown up in Anfield so plenty of Liverpool history.
Then we were told all about The Lexington and Lydia gave us a virtual tour. And OMG, I want to live there! It’s a lifestyle focused rental accommodation and sounds like it’ll provide a fantastic experience as well as being secure. It’s a 34-story development and will provide over 300 homes ranging from 1-3 bed studio flats (which start at £800pcm) to penthouse apartments.
The flats are all open plan and have all appliances, include the internet, you’re even allowed pets! Looks wise, it has stunning art deco and taken inspiration from the Liverpool Docks and there’s even a nod to the highline railway which served The Docks back in the day. They’ve even used the same artist as The Ivy.
Now for the best bits! There is a residential lounge, a 24-hour gym (which has panoramic views over The Mersey) as well as fitness classes, outdoor roof terrace, over 100 working spaces and they even have a parcel room where they expect to receive 21k parcels a year! On level 17 was a cinema and gaming room with Xbox and PS3 etc. You can privately book both as well as the private dining room where you can request to book a chef. They even plan to host events such as pasta making and supper clubs. Just wow!
Everything is bookable by the MyModa app and you can contact any of the 12 staff via here for questions etc. and to book rooms/ spaces. They said there’s a large focus on Health & Wellbeing with regular workshops, classes and even offer health checks.
The plan is to start viewings in May and to open in August.
Then it was time for the food and cooking. Maray’s Head Chef John has been at Maray for 2 years and even won European Small Plate of the Year 2019. We were told equipment we’d need and anything extra than what was in our box. All the ingredients were explained which was interesting as most of what had been given to us had been made in-house.
It was a fab two hours of listening and following their instructions. I am not exactly the best chef so was good to use things I haven’t cooked with before such as pomegranate seeds for the disco cauliflower. Attention to detail was key and they were respectable of recycling and waste. In the restaurant, they keep the cauliflower leaves for their coleslaw!
We made 8 dishes in total which included their famous disco cauliflower, falafel, whipped goats cheese and feta salad. I still have plenty left so will be enjoying again this weekend. 😊
With this pandemic, they’ve been selling plenty of their Cook at Home Boxes. Sold double of the Valentines Boxes. Great as it means they keep their staff employed. Their Falafel Wrap Kit even got a shout out on This Morning!
It was a brilliant event, I learnt lots and I loved one of the straplines; ‘No one goes hungry with Maray’. Right up my street!
Sweet tooth addict who loves to travel!
