Douglas Blyde

Marking Burns Night

Head to West Sussex this Monday evening for a Burns night of Haggis, Neaps & Tatties at cosy, local star, Whites Bar & Kitchen, Steyning.

Auguring a Feast

Douglas Blyde escapes hostile weather for exotic connations - the launch of ‘Malaysia Kitchen’, a campaign to celebrate London's 41 eateries...

Virtual Venison, Computerised Coffee and Pixellated Pâté

Douglas Blyde speaks to Kilburn resident, Marcus Carter, founder of the ‘first 3D virtual farmers market’ launched 1st January.

Putting Words to the F-Word

Conscripted into a long afternoon of critical dining, Douglas Blyde reveals what it was like to eat at the F-Word's restaurant...

Blumenthal and Smith Awarded by Supermarket

Curious about which culinary figure, dish and ingredient summed-up the noughties? Read the results of a poll of Sainsbury's Magazine readers here...

Tea Total

Amidst service bells and cake carousels, we share a brew with The Lanesborough Hotel's ‘Tea Sommelier’, Karl Kessab.

Re-Generating Tuscany

In the company of BBC's Olly Smith, Douglas Blyde travels to Tuscany to see how a quartet of its leading wine producers are thoughtfully modernising...

Hebridean 'Love Boat'

Coinciding with the launch of the world’s largest passenger ship, Douglas Blyde boards one of the most bijou - the 'Hebridean Princess' - for an afternoon of tea and talks.

Hove-ward Bound

More entertaining than the town’s floral clock and in ruder health than its ill-looking palms, Hove’s ‘L’Eglise’ brasserie is well-worth an escape from the capital’s chaos. Under orders from wine 'Kinight' François Domange, we accept the unenviable task of rating a five course, five wine, Bordeaux banquet at Hove's 'L'Eglise'...

Cutting Cheese on Moxon Street

Douglas Blyde attends the launch party of Marianne Lumb's 'Knife Skills' book at London's premier cheesemonger, 'La Fromagerie'

Down with Bloggers - Chapel Down

There is, as the adage goes, no such thing as a free lunch. Owing to the intensity and expectation of organisers, Douglas Blyde found a recent meal at Borough Market’s British restaurant, ‘Roast’ occasionally hard to digest.

Spirited Marriages at ‘Simpson’s In The Strand’

Described by Time Magazine as ‘the best cognac you have never heard of’, Audry was founded in 1878 by Aristide Boisson, great, great, grandfather of current owner Bernard.

Douglas Blyde eats a rare meal at Simpson's - one entirely accompanied by Audry Cognac

Conscientious Cocktails-all profits will be donated to charities helping wounded British soldiers

Intrigued to taste the inspiration of Yorkshire mixologist, Andy Pearson, Douglas Blyde ventured below the Thames waterline to the cellars of the Royal Horseguards Hotel.

Jeremy’s Restaurant, Haywards Heath

On the drive to Borde Hill gardens, through tree-branch tunnels, I spied the aftermath of a great many game birds, spread on tarmac. Morbidly, I found the sight mildly appetising. Rather than irrational bloodlust, I interpreted this as impatience to sample the speciality at destination, ‘Jeremy’s’, a family-run restaurant known for its game...

Ondine Edinburgh

Douglas Blyde last saw Edinburgh’s ‘Ondine’ restaurant as a building site. Two months on, he returns to test-dine the finished product and is enthusiastic about this glamorous seafood restaurant and what is arguably 'Edinburgh’s opening of the year'.

Ice Man- Francesco Mazzei at Cocorino

Cocorino’ is a story in two halves – gelateria and focacceria, each with their own doors. Brought to you by L’Anima restaurant’s dynamic chef,Francesco Mazzei , who worked in his family’s Calabrian gelateria and pastry shop aged eight, and Linda Yau, sister of his long-term mentor, Alan, the launch of the sweeter side of this rather cute Marylebone Village venture occurred last Wednesday. Lured by licking, Douglas Blyde went along to discuss cool-runnings with Mazzei.

Moreish Meals on Wacky Wheels

Street food need not be about ‘E-Coli, Mr. Whippy or sausages from a tin’ according to food columnist and broadcaster, Richard Johnson. Through his newly established British Street Food Awards, the 46 year-old presenter of BBC’s ‘Kill It, Cook It, Eat It’ hopes to uncover our most ‘razzle-dazzling, showman mobilers.

Bringing Gastronomy to Gaol

Douglas Blyde goes to prison. No, not as punishment for his purple prose, but to sample the food at the Clink, the only restaurant in the UK to be located inside a prison. Not only did he rather enjoy this unique experience, he was even allowed out to offend again.

Quartz to Crystal

Following the first glass masterclass in Britain, Douglas Blyde catches-up with Maximilian Riedel, 11th generation figurehead of the world’s most famous luxury glassware firm. It was founded in 1756 in northern Bohemia.

Dominic Chapman: Casting His Own Shadow

Douglas Blyde talks to Dominic Chapman, Tatler's 'Best Young Chef' about unbeatable chips, 'Razz Jazz' cakes and how he has emerged from the shadows of Heston Blumenthal and Michael Parkinson...