Mango & Lime Jam

It’s always nice when friends show both imagination and an understanding of what you’re about when choosing gifts for you, so I was touched by the gift of a box of 6 fat red-green mangoes as part of an anniversary present last weekend. (Don’t worry, these friends know us both well, the present included a ... Read more »

Pete’s “Courgette ‘Saka”

During my August trip to Dusseldorf (for work), Pete was keen to find new ways to use some of the beautiful courgettes we’ve been growing in the garden. When he told me of about the moussaka-like dish he made one night (using courgettes instead of aubergine) I insisted he make it again as soon as ... Read more »

Ming the Masterchef: Mat Follas @ The Wild Garlic (Part 2)

A review of our evening at Mat Follas’ The Wild Garlic in Beaminster is long overdue. For those champing at the bit for feedback on the meal, it was lovely. Food, service, ambience… everything came together to create a wonderful evening which everyone in our party very much appreciated. The Wild Garlic, Beaminster The Wild ... Read more »

Restaurant Review: Brasserie Blanc, Bristol

Having enjoyed such a magnificent meal at Bell’s Diner the evening before, it was really hard to assess our meal the following night, at Brasserie Blanc, objectively. It suffered in comparison. Which is a shame as it’s the kind of relaxed, straightforward French brasserie that we’d probably appreciate more without that juxtaposition. The brasserie is ... Read more »

Dine with Dos Hermanos: The Bull & Last

A couple of weeks back I had a most marvellous evening attending the Dine with Dos Hermanos event at The Bull & Last in Highgate. Really fabulous food eaten in the company of fellow foodies, I ate and drank until I was stuffed and then carried on! The entire team involved in delivering this evening ... Read more »

Une Belle Soirée at Bell’s Diner (Bristol)

On Friday evening, I enjoyed the best meal of my year so far. And it was in a restaurant I’d not even heard of 48 hours previously! Having finally decided on a destination for our celebratory weekend away on Thursday morning, I booked us a posh room at the Bristol Hotel Du Vin and then ... Read more »

The Scandinavian Kitchen

Vacuum Cleaners, Cameras and Blodpudding at The Scandinavian Kitchen A short while ago I was invited to attend an inaugural food photography training session organised by Helen of aforkfulofspaghetti, run by Chris Windsor, a freelance professional photographer and hosted by the Scandinavian Kitchen, a shop, deli and café in Great Titchfield Street. I’ve been a ... Read more »

Ming the Masterchef: Mat Follas @ The Wild Garlic (Part 1)

Despite the inconsistency of the judging, the clearly unrepresentative editing (even before I read accounts from contestants), the nauseating sexualisation of desserts by one of the judges and the bizaare nature of some of the tests, I rather enjoyed Masterchef 2009. There’s much I’d love to change about the format, mind, but I enjoyed it ... Read more »

The Ultimate Pong Cheese

Anyone who knows me well knows how I feel about cheese! I adore it. The riper, smellier and stronger the better! Soft cheeses so ripe they are practically oozing their way off my plate. Blues that are pungent, sharp, creamy and piquant. Delicious rinds containing flavoursome cheesey goodness that makes me grin with delight! So, ... Read more »