Join CAU Restaurants, and master of the barbecue Christian Stevenson, aka DJ BBQ, this August for the 2^nd annual CAUnival and raise money for a good cause, namely the international humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger .

We were invited to the launch party at CAU St. Katherine’s Dock for the official launch party of this year’s CAUnival and to hear all about how this month long festival, which was inspired by the South American Dia del Amigo – a public holiday across Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay that celebrates friendship, kindness and sharing. It will be celebrated in all 18 UK sites of the restaurant, which serves up contemporary cuisine inspired by the vibrancy, colour and cultural diversity of Buenos Aires.

It was a lovely warm summer’s evening when we made our way to what is one of my favourite places in London. It always reminds me of how close we are to the sea here in London and seeing all the sail boats and motor yachts moored in St.Katherine’s Dock, you forget all the traffic jams and building sites in the City, only a few minutes away. It was easy to find CAU, as the lovely smell coming from the barbecue on the outdoor terrace was unmistakable.

DJ BBQ and CAU Executive Chef James Garland have created a South America-inspired 6oz cheese-topped beef burger that will feature as the festival special on the menu of all UK CAU restaurants this August. Made from juicy cuts of chuck, flank and brisket, supercharged with bone marrow, and topped with Monterey Jack cheese and generous dollop of homemade chimichurri for that extra burst of flavour and heat, we really loved this burger. And for every CAUnival burger ordered, £1 will be donated to Action Against Hunger. To provide some context, just £1 could provide a day’s nutritional supplies/therapeutic food for the treatment of a severely malnourished child.

Other dishes on the special CAUnival set menu including Pollo de Coxinha – classic Brazilian street food croquettes made with chicken and coriander; Coconut Monk Fish – miso marinated fish cheeks in a coconut milk broth with ginger, lime and chilli and Bean Feijoada – slowly braised squash, peppers, berlotti beans, kale, tomato and paprika, topped with Aji Amerillo infused yoghurt and grilled flat breads.

There was plenty of wine and imported Argentinian beers to quench our thirst, but the drink of the evening was Pisco Sour, one of the iconic cocktails of South America. Made from pisco (a kind of brandy), Angostura bitters, lemon juice, egg white, sugar and ice, it works perfectly with spicy food.

Check CAU’s website for special CAUnival events, promotions, charity raffles and silent auctions. There are also weekly prizes to be won via social media, including meals for four at CAU, premium Spotify memberships, cases of CAU own-brand wine and pairs of Converse trainers. The top prize is a Quilmes-sponsored trip of a lifetime for two people to visit Buenos Aires, for a first-hand taste of local Argentinian culture and lifestyle.

Diners will also be treated to a bespoke CAunival playlist that will be built and played in each restaurant, with a limited edition playlist created especially by DJ BBQ, to be made available on vinyl.

As the good people of CAU say:

However you say it, friendship is something worth celebrating.

And what better way to celebrate, than with good food, good drink and good company?

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