Young Professionals Join Shabbat Wine Tasting in Buckhurst Hill

A unique and special evening for young Jewish professionals was held at Chabad Buckhurst Hill last Friday Night – a wine tasting Shabbos dinner.

The event was so popular, online bookings had to be closed last Wednesday as the tickets were all sold out, wines and food had already been ordered, and even though more young adults wanted to join, the organisers had to make a cut off and close the event.

A full gourmet four-course traditional Friday night dinner was served accompanied by a selection of five different wines each with a story and a suitable choice of wine for the menu. Edible salad bowls with a selection of fish, chicken soup, steak or roast chicken main course and a mouth-watering dessert buffet which aided the young people in mingling more, all brought a special class and atmosphere to the evening.

Wines were sourced from Kedem Europe, the largest importer of Kosher Wines to the UK and Yishai Steinberg, one of their top salesmen came along to stay for Shabbos too as the Guest Speaker and Resident Wine Connoisseur to guide the participants through the wines, telling the story of each unique winery that the wines were selected from and helping all present enjoy and appreciate the various wines.

The brainchild of Rabbi Odom Brandman, the Director of the Chabad Centre in Buckhurst Hill with his wife Henny, they came up with the idea for the evening last year to really find a unique way of engaging with this age group of the community and with the aim of really giving them a special evening. Kevin Benham-Whyte, a special friend and supporter, who is currently living and doing business in Shanghai generously sponsored the whole event and flew in to participate too with his daughters and their friends who still live in Essex and are in the age range of the target audience of the event.

No expense was spared, elegant decorations, real crockery and glassware, good quality wines, steak and other delicious food, all added to the caliber of the evening.

All food was cooked and prepared in-house by Chabad Buckhurst Hill’s volunteer catering team. This food and set up was overseen by Laraine Warren and her husband Greg together with Karen and Howard Wise and other willing volunteers of course with help and support from Chabad Buckhurst Hill’s full time Youth Shlucha, Sheina Edelman.

The participants were also treated to a fun program with games, songs, jokes and simply a relaxed, engaging and wonderful atmosphere.

Rabbi Odom and Henny Brandman, with Kevin’s support hope to make this an annual event which will only grow and become more successful each year.