A Scandinavian Christmas with Trine Hahnemann and Food at 52

Earlier this year, I had a great time reviewing the Italian cookery class at Food at 52. I loved how much we covered and that it was all hands on; I really appreciated class tutor John’s friendly, knowledgeable and encouraging approach and I loved the home-style feel of the basement classroom. I also had a ... Read more »

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 »

Mamta’s Kitchen Classes 2012

Last year, we ran a few classes to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mamta’s Kitchen. We’ve just noticed the site has recently passed the 10,000,000 hits mark and this has nudged us into scheduling some more dates, as we’ve been promising for a while. Dates: Sunday 5th August Saturday 8th September Time: 11.30 am to ... Read more »

All Star Chilli Con Carne

A few weeks ago, I was invited to All Star Lanes in Westfield Stratford to learn executive chef Steve Collins’ chilli con carne recipe and a few cocktails from mixologist Adam Seidman. The master classes were filmed as part of some new promotional material for Westfield Stratford’s website, though thankfully I’m only visible briefly!   ... Read more »

Ice Cream Wednesday: Jean-Christophe Novelli’s Summer Baked Alaska

Two Wednesdays ago, Pete and I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at the Novelli Academy, the Cookery School run by handsome French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. Located in Tea Green, a small village on the outskirts of Luton, not far from the airport, the Academy is located in a beautiful 14th century farmhouse where Novelli also lives ... Read more »

Pickled Rock Samphire & Pork Rillettes + Rules For Foraging Safely & Responsibly

There’s something deeply satisfying about making a meal of ingredients foraged directly from the earth, not by some faceless stranger who’s sold his lucrative hedgerow hoard to a restaurant chef, but by your own hands. Common mallow Of course, there’s the thrifty delight in a free meal. £3 for a bundle of asparagus or marsh ... Read more »