Donald Russell -Steak out at Sofitel

What do carnivores do when they tire of restaurant mark-ups and other people taking photos of their sirloins? What does Joe Bloggs do when he wants a juicy, restaurant-quality steak but at home, where he can comfortably listen to dubious pop music, watch vacuous dross on the box or eat in his jim-jams? The answer is to give Donald Russell a call

Mixing it up. Guest chefs at Benares

Michelin starred chef Atul Kochhar is joining forces with some of the country’s leading chefs to create a series of fusion menus to be served at the Benares Bar in Mayfair. We caught up with Atul and guest chef Anna Hansen to learn more.

Bread Revolution Duncan Glendinning and Patrick Ryan

With so many ideas for breads and meals, as well as some pretty tasty photography too, The Bread Revolution will have you waving a flag at the barricades and driving back the oppressive hordes of sliced white breadism and their running dog lackeys, the subwaybunists. Power to the people, right on.

Too Many Critics 2012

Over-ebullient, self-obsessed, braggy, ill-informed, pompous, irritating … these are the mildest of the uncomplimentary epithets we chuck at food critics. And many readers would like to see them well and truly stuffed. This April, Action Against Hunger is giving you the opportunity to see the critics being humiliated by top chefs, in the professional kitchen at Hawksmoor Guildhall. Revenge will definitely be on the menu.

The knife is right., ProCook knives

ProCook® ® make an impressive range of knives, not only in variety but in prices too so that any home cook can build up a decent collection without breaking the bank. They sent over a selection for us to try and we put them up against the Japanese masters Global on the one hand and Sabatier , the historic champions on the other.

The Bird in Hand, Long Ashton

Long Ashton is the first village in the green belt north of Bristol, three miles from the harbourside. A reasonable walk, were it not for the manic road system in between. But to one side lies glorious Ashton Court, 850 acres of park and woodland belonging to the citizens of Bristol. So a long walk in Ashton Court, followed by another long walk to the Bird in Hand (yes, Long Ashton is long) would be the perfect prelude to a slap-up lunch.

Chapter One Gourmet night

Locksbottom may sound like a particularly unsavoury medical condition, but is actually a well to do area of Bromley, south London and home to Chapter One restaurant. With a Michelin star, 4 AA rosettes and glowing reviews (most recently in the dead tree press from The Independent’s John Walsh and online at Andy Hayler’s blog )it would be unfair to say that Chapter One is overlooked or undervalued. But given the quality of chef Andy McLeish’s food, I’m not sure why it isn’t raved about even more.

Schwartz flavour forecast for 2012

Forecasts about food trends are almost always about generating sales for whichever products its sponsor makes. Spice and herb specialist Schwartz has identified six approaches which will influence the way we cook, using recipes created by its own chef, Steve Love, and rising star chef Maria Elia who has transformed the menu at Joe’s in South Kensington. Put your cynicism about corporate sponsorship aside; these well-crafted recipes are show-stoppers.