Beer and Chicken

previously unreleased footage

2006-05-22T08:42:00.000+01:00

...from The Last Supper

The Last Supper

2005-09-18T17:30:00.000+01:00

Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

A truly momentous occasion. It was the night of my leaving drinks. As usual, the adventure didn't stop when the pub shut, though tonight saw an unprecedented number of poultry participants eat in at The Cottage.

See the full photoset for more action here: The Last Supper, on Flickr

the flipside

2005-09-18T17:29:00.000+01:00

view from the other side
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

The gentleman behind the counter was kind enough to offer us his photography skills. Here's the result.

So this is what it looks like to work behind the great counter!

crossing the threshold

2005-09-18T17:26:00.000+01:00

crossing the threshold
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

And so it began... Here you see not just Robin, but several other colleagues crossing the threshold and stepping into our favourite Chicken Cottage: W14.

More in a few moments...

In the bag!

2005-09-18T16:11:00.000+01:00

In the bag!
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

I escape with the bounty. On this occasion I took the shameful box to a nearby bus stop and ate it there before going home, because there were people round at my house...

And I didn't want them to know about my... habit.

Sir, your chicken!

2005-09-18T16:07:00.000+01:00

Sir, your chicken!
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

ALMOST my turn....

Shalamar

2005-09-18T16:06:00.000+01:00

Full frontal
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

On some drunken occasions 'pon which I don't end up chez Chicken Cottage near work, this fine Clapham venue has been known to catch my eye when alighting the underground.

More Shalamar action here!!!

SPECIAL REPORT

2005-08-16T20:55:00.000+01:00

Our special reporter Pierre brings us this exclusive news from High Wycombe:

I wasn't in High Wycombe to eat chicken or drink beer. I was actually there to buy some canes for my tomato plants from B&Q but I went into the town centre see if I could find something for my mum's upcoming birthday.

If you've ever been to High Wycombe you'll know that its quite dull – and so I thought too – but to my amazement I realised a crack team of broadcasters from Mix107 (you can find it on 107.4fm if you ever drive through the Chilterns) were in town to cover a momentous event in Wycombe's town history: the grand opening of a Chicken Cottage.

Now I know what you're thinking: "He's making it up for the Beer and Chicken site because he thinks it sounds funny, but its a lie because a professional broadcaster wouldn't cover an event like that". Well SHAME ON YOU. Because not only is it true but I took photos to prove it. I tried to use my phone to do a video interview with the Mix107 DJ but he declined (presumably for contractual reasons).

Anyway as you can see in the photo they put a load of chairs out for the crowds (crowds not pictured). The lack of a crowd suprised me and had they turned up I would have canvassed some opinion on exactly how Chicken Cottage is going down in Wycombe. Instead I can tell you that the owner of this Chicken Cottage (and I suspect a few others judging by her clothes, see later) was a very well dressed Asian lady who looked very important and quite pretty. She isn't in the picture either and I would have got a picture of her but my wife already thinks I've been behaving oddly enough recently*.

The photo above is an enlarged and enhanced section (like on Crime Watch) to show how much equipment Mix107 had brought: a computer, some sort of amplifier with some microphones, and some other mixing equipment. The DJ didn't have a turntable with a Chicken Cottage logo like Ade and Robin's, though, which I thought was a shame. Come to think of it he didn't have any records or a turntable at all which is very strange for a super-star DJ. He did have a microphone with one of those wireless transmitters which is why he isn't in the picture. I think he may have been "working the crowd" out of shot.

All in all then, a most pleasant surprise and a fabulous event.

P.

*My wife doesn't know that I am a Cottage-coinesseur. She has a Cordon Bleu certificate in cookery and probably wouldn't approve.

If we were DJs

2005-08-11T14:10:00.000+01:00

Our turntables would look like this.

A satisfied Ade

2005-07-28T10:29:00.000+01:00

A satisfied Ade
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Ahhhhhhhh....

Ade taking pics

2005-07-28T10:24:00.000+01:00

Ade taking pictures
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Here is Ade the photo master in action. Having recently bought a tiny concealable digital camera he can take shots of the cottage interior that were never before possible (we just need to make sure the flash doesn't go off).
More amazing photos are to come...

#3

2005-07-28T10:21:00.000+01:00

#3
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

For those of you who don't know, this is a #3. 2 legs, 2 wings, chips and a drink (not shown). A fine dish!

Eating in

2005-07-28T10:19:00.000+01:00

Eating in
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

We decided to eat in to avoid Dristrict Line embarrasment. This action-shot shows Robin attacking a leg.

Excited Ade

2005-07-28T10:18:00.000+01:00

Excited Ade
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

He just can't wait!

Number 1 or Number 3?

2005-07-28T10:15:00.000+01:00

Number 1 or Number 3?
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Ade can't decide...

Eagerly grinning

2005-07-28T10:11:00.000+01:00

Duality
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

We had a bit of banter with the bloke behind the counter for the first time. He was asking about the camera. If only he knew the full story...

I spy...

2005-07-28T10:08:00.000+01:00

I spy...
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Out mate catches me taking a snap through the glass. I wonder if he knows how famous he is?

Another pint? Or chicken?

2005-07-28T10:06:00.001+01:00

Another pint? Or chicken?
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

3 pints down, should we get another, or is it chicken time?

Now let's get down to business...

2005-07-28T10:06:00.000+01:00

Robin checks out the menu
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Robin checks out the menu

And meet Raf

2005-07-28T10:05:00.000+01:00

Raf
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Strictly speaking we shouldn't have allowed this picture on Beer and Chicken because he's drinking wine. But we're nice people, so here he is anyway. Cheers Raf, you big wine drinking softy!

This week's first guest

2005-07-28T10:03:00.000+01:00

Sean
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Introducing Sean – one of our regular drinking partners (though not one to follow us all the way to the chicken counter). Here he is, clearly enjoying his nectar.

A few beers then... chicken, last night.

2005-07-28T09:34:00.000+01:00

Robin enjoying a crisp pint of lager last night.

And me too - cheers!

Another view...

2005-07-26T16:38:00.000+01:00

FCKF
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Here's it is at about 5pm. It's like a magical palace of grease, I don't think I've ever come across a place that does chicken, kebabs AND fish. All they need to do now is serve beer.

- Rob

FCKF

2005-07-23T13:34:00.000+01:00

FCKF
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Passed this place last night on Old Street and, naturally, had to take a photo. I didn't actually eat there though. Maybe one day soon. If anyone's tried this establishment please drop us a comment below. Love the name though.

OK, so where's the beer?

2005-07-21T11:12:00.000+01:00

From all the feedback we have received about this blog, one point in particular was particulalry valid: "Where's the beer?"

It's a good point. The title Beer and Chicken readies the reader for two sided tale, but a quick scan down the page reveales a rather one sided story.

The reason is simple. No man in his right mind would walk into a chicken takeaway and start taking photos. It's only after a skinful of beer that the cameraphones come out. In other words, the beer is busy sloshing around our stomachs, making it somewhat difficult to photograph. Think of the beer as the catalyst for the whole activity. We are always drunk at the time - that's the whole point.

But OK, OK, you're right... It would be nice to see a bit of the drinking action wouldn't it? So we endeavour to start snapping a little earlier in the evening from now on. Expect pictures of pints on tables and the like henceforth.

Please keep the feedback coming in!

Yours,
Ade

Tucking into my meal

2005-07-21T10:36:00.000+01:00

Hot and Tasty
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Here's a point - of - view shot taken while I munched on my poultry snack on the way home. Last night's Chicken Shack chicken was actually quite succulent - I was impressed! A fine way to end the evening...

What time is it Mr Shack?

2005-07-21T10:32:00.000+01:00

What time is it Chicken Shack?
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

No idea, apparently.

Shack mirror close-up

2005-07-21T10:06:00.000+01:00

Shack mirror detail
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

A close - up of the logo on the mirror. Very similar to the Chicken Cottage logo, only The Shack's twin hens are looking in opposite directions - like some crazed cojoined twins after a tiff. (No doubt about birdseed or something...)

Last night - Chicken Shack

2005-07-21T10:02:00.000+01:00

Shack Mirror
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Last night I went for a few beers and the local pub as per usual. En route back to West Kensington the now familiar chicken cravings started to kick in. Chicken Cottage was almost in sight when: "Damn, no money...."

So I crossed the road to get some cash out and found myself face to face with Chicken Shack. Natrually I stepped inside, and took this photo.

Orphan chicken box

2005-07-18T11:06:00.000+01:00

Discarded chicken box
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

This must have provided so much joy in its short lifetime. Evidence found near Kensington Village, West Kensington

From the photo archive...

2005-07-18T09:41:00.000+01:00

The money shot
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

The money shot. This full - frontal of West Kensington Chicken Cottage by night was snapped back in October 2004.

Yes that's right - it's been going on that long...

Greasy kebab

2005-07-17T11:27:00.000+01:00

Greasy kebab
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Yes it's true, I have been tempted away from the holy chicken once or twice in the past, but I learned my lesson each time. That is indeed Ade's foot in the left of the shot by the way. We are a superhero duo in the post-beer world of greasy take-away

King Rooster

2005-07-17T08:55:00.000+01:00

King Rooster
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

I went out in Islington last night and passed this fine - looking chicken boutique.

Passing it again on the way home (having drunk three and a half pints of Staropramen), I toyed, for a moment or two, with the idea of going in. In the end I thought the better of it and made do with some Marmite on toast when I got home instead.

I think the thing that put me off most was that there were no customers in there, though one more pint and I would have been ordering at the counter - all in the name of research for the blog of course.

But hey - "King Rooster" - full marks for the name!

Ade

Dropped chicken - my view

2005-07-16T20:06:00.000+01:00

dropped chicken 2
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

And here's my view of the scene of the crime – Robin's dropped chicken. I sat a short distance away and pretended that I didn't know him.

Robin taking a snap

2005-07-16T20:05:00.000+01:00

robin taking a snap
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

The making of yet another great photo. Robin takes a snap of the Chicken Cottage staff in action.

CC mirror logo

2005-07-16T20:04:00.000+01:00

CC mirror logo
Originally uploaded by beerandchicken.

Ade here. This is a snap of the mirrored wall of our favourite CC outlet, complete with frosted - effect logo. Doesn't it just look glorious?

As you can see in the reflection, while I snap away, Robin is stroking his beard and deciding whether to get a #1 or a #3 off the menu. This also took place last Thursday night.

Thursday night

2005-07-15T22:06:00.000+01:00

I'm Robin the other half of beerandchicken, Ade has added the previous posts. Thursday was another worky drinks do. We then went to the pub which significantly raised the cottage visit probability. I figured earlier that each pint consumed raises the chance of getting chicken cottage by roughly 20%, so after five beers chicken is inevitable.
Of course there was no doubt in our mind at the beginning of the evening that chicken would certainly play a part somewhere down the line. Drawn to the luminous logo like moths to a porch light, the Chicken Cottage beacon attracted drunks from all over the city.

We both ordered number 3's (2 bbq pieces, 2 regular pieces, french fries and drink) but had to wait roughly seven minutes for the 'food' to be cooked. It did however give me lots of valuable camera phone time, at which point I snapped a weird bearded dude. I'm always fascinated by the people around me as I wait for the food...wondering how many others there are like me.
Anyway we left the cottage, chicken in hand and made our way to West Kensington tube where we devoured the greasy, pale lumps of bird. The tube came and Ade had already finished so I grabbed my stuff quickly and in the rush I dropped my chicken on the floor of the train. Embarassed I put the rest of my food back in the bag and sat quietly, stinking of beer and chicken. I took the rest home and ate it in my room, on my own...in the dark. All in all, a successful visit.

The glowing beacon:

Ade and the strange bearded man:

Chicken disaster:

Me attacking a bone:

Last Night

2005-07-14T10:56:00.000+01:00

Last night was my first visit to a chicken outlet since the launch of this blog. It all started when we had a company meeting with beers. Three cans of Stella later I was more than keen for a trip to our favourite chicken haunt: Chicken Cottage, West Kensington. Here's a few snaps:

The familiar sign:

Serving the guy before me:

Preparing my feast:

From the photo archive

2005-07-13T19:47:00.000+01:00

A typical mid-week post-beer visit to our local Chicken Cottage at West Kensington. This guy rules.

Escalation

2005-07-13T15:21:00.000+01:00

We constructed this diagram to illustrate the usual sequence of events. The thing on the right is supposed to be a Chicken Cottage logo.

Tube Nugget

2005-07-13T15:12:00.000+01:00

chicken_cottage8
Originally uploaded by mikumog.

Robin eating some chicken on the District Line.

This is Beer and Chicken

2005-07-13T14:55:00.000+01:00

Welcome to Beer and Chicken. This blog is dedicated to the inevitability and regularity of getting dodgy takeaway chicken after drinking beer. It's as greasy as the outlets that sell it, but after a few after-work pints it's the best thing in the world.

We find it funny. We don't know why.

And who are we? All shall be revealed...