James Cochran Hosts ‘Goatober’ Dinner at 1251

On Monday 8th October, Chef James Cochran will serve a special goat-inspired dinner at his new Islington restaurant 1251 in celebration of the month-long international goat meat festival, Goatober.

For one night only, the talented young chef will welcome guests with a set dinner menu based around his signature Goat Sharing Board, the lauded dish which earned him a 9/10 score in his current successful run on the popular BBC TV programme, Great British Menu.

The one-off event taking place on the restaurant’s upper floor will start off with a brief welcome talk from Chef James and James Whetlor, the founder of Cabrito, 1251’s own goat meat supplier, and a strong advocate of the Goatober campaign. Guests can expect a relaxed, convivial atmosphere where the duo will shed light on the challenges facing the goat meat industry, including issues surrounding food waste, and the benefits of using the meat.

For £60 per person, the evening’s three-course set menu will reflect James’ highly regarded ambitious take on modern British cuisine, moulded by his own Scottish and West Indian heritage. Guests will be greeted with 1251’s signature Douglas fir-infused gin and tonic upon arrival, followed by a Toasted Hay and Roast Onion Broth with Goat’s Cheese Sandwich to start. The main course will showcase James’ signature Goat Sharing Board, which will feature cuts using shoulder, belly, haunch, and shank, served alongside black-eyed pea dahl; coconut rice; roti; cucumber, pineapple and carrot salad; burnt lime & rum dressing; and scotch bonnet jam. To end on a sweet note, guests will enjoy Goat’s Milk Custard Tart with Blackberries, Almonds and White Chocolate.

The collaborative feast, the first of many to come, reflects James and the 1251 team’s wider commitment to focusing on ethical, high-quality ingredients, which they source directly through personal relationships with small-scale independent suppliers such as Cabrito.