Back in London and today I had tickets for two events run by the Experimental Food Society.

I had booked the tickets a while ago and was super-excited about going, unfortunately it was all a bit disappointing.

The day-time event was billed as "an annual edible exhibition and a must-see for any food lover." So off I went excited to taste lots of different foods and see some exciting new food ideas.

Except when we got there it was more of a press scrum with most of the "stands" either having no-one there, being too busy being interviewed by the press to speak to anyone else or show their wares, or simply just nothing going on.

So, disappointed we left after a few minutes but were still looking forward to the evening's banquet.

Fortunately the event took place in London's Brick Lane so we weren't short of places to eat!

The restaurant we chose had the most amazing pictures painted on the wall, including one of Princess Diana, and this lovely one was opposite me as we ate.

Next we headed home to get all dressed up for our evening banquet.

The banquet took place in the same venue which was the first problem. It was far too small to fit everyone on one floor so some of us were upstairs. This wouldn't normally be too bad but seeing as all the events, the bar and a lot of the food and drink were situated, took place or were served downstairs, it meant you either couldn't see what was going on or get to anything or you had to walk somehwere you could see, which was impossible if you were sitting on one of the bench chairs and had to ask around 15 other people to move if you wanted to get out.

We were fortunate enough to grab two end seats which meant we were able to move around and we sat next to great people but many people were very disappointed and left before the end- not a good sign.

The next problem was the food- it just wasn't great!

Seeing as this was the main selling point of the event it was a real shame.

Some bits were lovely- the cake lollies by Pop Bakery, the handmade chocolates which appeared right at the end and redeemed the evening a bit, some of them by my favourite chocolate maker Paul A Young and the lovely cocktails (all £10 extra each of course). One of which came in a jelly glass which was made by Bompas &Parr (unfortunately despite them being widely billed as taking part in the event this was the only opprtunity to try any of their work)

But some bits were very poor- the really heavy bread (ok it had been baked as part of a body), the awful cake (which everyone at our table had been waiting for to brighten up the evening and came piled up on a plate and was unfortunately pretty much inedible- and I like cake!) and the cheese landscape which had been sitting around for over 12 hours by then and to get any of it you had to go downstairs and get it yourself- except there were no plates, cutlery, crackers etc.

Watching people fill their hands with warm cheese was a particular highlight of the evening!

Added to all that is the fact that when we asked for jugs of water (after paying £75 a head for tickets) people were told they would have to buy expensive bottled water!

We were smart enough to go down to the bar and ask for water and they kindly obliged but again if you were stuck at your table this wasn't an option.

All in all the evening was a disappointment, especially when we have been to some great food events recently, all of which cost at least two thirds less than this one, but I will forever be thankful for bring introduced to the work of Miss Ballooniverse!

P.S. I have just realised I've been writing this blog for over 3 years- wow. That's 449 entries in all that time- I hope it's been worth reading!