The Peruvian ambassador to the UK lives in a quiet street near Lancaster Gate, in a bloody enormous building with the national flag of Peru hanging outside. For some reason he had agreed for his garden to be used for the UK launch of a new Peruvian lager by the name of Cusquena. Annoyingly, our presence wasn't loudly announced as we descended the steps into the garden. But even if it had, no-one would have heard, as a loud Peruvian band was reminding everyone vaguely of Cacharpaya (Andes Pumpsa Desi) by Incantation, that unlikely panpipe led Top 40 smash from December 1982.

Here you can see the band in full flow, with the Peruvian ambassador himself standing to the right.

While pisco sours and bottles of the aforementioned lager were doled out free of charge, Jenny and I scanned the garden for anyone remotely famous. Surely a lager launch at the residence of the Peruvian ambassador would attract the cream of London's glitterati? Not really. Up-and-coming TV chef Neil Pengelly was there, looking extremely confident, and extremely ginger, which is somewhat amusing as his PR blurb claims that he's blond. You can't argue with nature, Neil. Aside from him, the only other attendee of note was John Grogan, Labour MP for Selby, and present in his capacity as the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Beer Group. He's also the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary BBC Group, and Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Mongolia Group. One wonders what time he's got left for his consituents. But he was a thoroughly likeable chap, explaining that he was very lucky to be serving a 3rd term as an MP, and it'll probably be his last, what with boundary changes and everything. Nearby, his youthful assistant cut a less bumbling figure, dressed sharply, and saying all the right things at the right time. He'll probably end up wielding the reins of power in this country one day, so I would say “remember where you heard his name first”, except I can't remember his name. He laughed at my business card. “Make it yourself, did you?” he asked. What a cheek.

Girls dressed in authentic Peruvian costume doled out trays of traditional Peruvian food, i.e. miniscule chicken canapés which no doubt get the majority of Peruvians through the harsh winters in the Andes.

On the way out, we saw what we'd been hoping for all along: A tray of Ferrero Rocher. Sadly we didn't get to try one.

Oh, and the lager was pretty good.