Eating with Atul: Atul Kochhar at Benares

“I’m often asked ‘what is Indian food?’“, says chef Atul Kochhar. His usual answer? “I don’t know!” He explains that with so many regions and so many different religions (each with their own cooking practices), there is no one answer to that question. India, much like England, has absorbed so many culinary influences and ingredients ... Read more »

Riverford Organic Field Kitchen & Farm Tour

The welcome at the Riverford Organic Farms Field Kitchen is warm.   Guests are shown to their spot at large communal tables serried beneath a vast curving roof. Huge windows let in plenty of light during our June lunch-time visit. The menu is no-choice, served family style at a fixed time, so there’s a real ... Read more »

A Neighbourhood Gem: The Victoria, East Sheen

I’ve always been happy in my North London suburban neighbourhood. But The Victoria in East Sheen is one of those places that seriously makes me dream about moving South.   This cosy neighbourhood pub and restaurant is located in an incredible peaceful suburban neighbourhood just a couple of minutes’ walk from Richmond Park. The exterior ... Read more »

Phoenicia Rising

We had a marvellous fortnight in Lebanon, as will already be clear from my recent posts about the overall trip and our day with Abu Kassem. After our Taste Lebanon tour was over, Pete and I stayed on in Beirut for 3 extra days, basing ourselves at The Phoenicia hotel, part of the InterContintental group. ... Read more »

Talk & Fork with Jamie Theakston

As I mentioned before, I’ve been paired with Jamie Theakston to keep an eye on the Talk & Fork category of the Tesco Real Food Challenge. I put some food and cooking questions to him recently and am happy to share my interview with you here! Do you remember the first thing you cooked? What ... Read more »

Ben Tunnicliffe at The Scarlet

The Scarlet Hotel‘s restaurant is in the very capable hands of Ben Tunnicliffe, formerly of The Abbey in Penzance, where he earned a Michelin star for his cooking. Ben gives a frank, informative and sometimes amusing account of his cooking career on the hotel’s website. He also reveals his food philosophy which boils down to ... Read more »