Cambridge Union debate dinner

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I was debating in the Cambridge Union, and enjoyed the debate dinner, when the speakers and the committee are served a meal together in the Old Library before the debate itself began.  First off was warm tartlet of smoked haddock with a beetroot salad and served with warm ciabatta bread.  I left the bread, but the tart was good.  Indeed, it was rather like the version of this dish I sometimes make myself.

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Then came chump of lamb on sauté potatoes with rosemary, redcurrant jus and cavalo nero.  The lamb was tasty, but I didn’t each much else, saving room for the dessert.

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This was honey and cinnamon panacotta, with spiced figs and syrup.  I looked at it long and hard, but eventually gave it away and just had the coffee.  The problem is that I am always nervous before a speech, and this affects my appetite.  I had the coffee, and had to be very sparing with the wine until after I had spoken.  It was a good meal, though, made even better by the fact that my side won the debate which followed…