If only I could get into my loft – piled high from the entrance to the back – to dig out diaries from my late teens and early 20s. Did I first go to the Hard Rock Café between school and travelling or after I got back from my not quite two year north American trip?
Manseng and Musketeers
Is it fair to compare an offspring’s prowess with their parents’? Amidst visits to artisan producers of maple syrup coloured, orange and prune scented, addictively supple Armagnac in the drink’s 700th year, I tipsily ventured to the respective restaurants of father and son, Éric and Pepito Sampietro, deep in France’s Gers.
Great recipes for Welsh lamb
The latest dishes to hit the culinary catwalk from Welsh Lamb add an edgy twist to Britain’s best-loved meals, and with nearly a third of shoppers specifically buying locally sourced food*, there has never been a better time to cut down on your carbon footprint and get cooking with Welsh Lamb.
Top Five Turkeys, the most popular and best free range fresh turkeys on sale this Christmas
O come all ye serious foodies, if you’re planning to be the host with the most this Christmas you need to be ordering your favourite feathered friend right now.
When You Entertain, family friendly recipes to share with Coca-Cola
Open mind or not, I won’t be converted to drinking Coca-Cola any time soon, but this book has left me very open to its possibilities as an ingredient. When You Entertain charmed me with cheery presentation, accessible recipes and its ethos that good food is for sharing.
The long road to Mother’s Ruin, Sipsmiths distillery tour
Behind one nondescript blue door on a quiet residential street in Hammersmith, a single garage is the home of the microdistillery producing award-winning spirits. Located on the site of a former microbrewery, Sipsmiths is the brain-child of Sam Galsworthy and Fairfax Hall. Taking advantage of a little wintry sunshine, Qin Xie went to meet the makers to learn a little more.
The Big Game, we go on food safari
The Big Game? Anita Pati dons pith helmet and loads her 12 bore to go on Safari in, errr, well in Clerkenwell actually. She bags us a nice Vietnamese style slow-cooked pork recipe from The Modern Pantry
Degò, Great Portland Street, London W1, a great place to eat on a special occasion, either as a couple or in a larger party
This new restaurant opened on the Market Place corner of Portland House in mid October. Our experience at Degò, was very enjoyable, their food is beautifully presented in its simplicity, excellent quality and tasty. The restaurant has an intimate atmosphere and a stylish, comfortable feel, it’s a great place to go both for quiet dinners with someone special or in a larger party.
Baking masterclass with Denis Drame at Pennyhill Park
At Pennyhill Park Hotel in Surrey they have a bakery that turns out breads that you wouldn’t believe. And the pastries are just perfect too. Nick Harman gets all floury in his prose as he tries out the new Baking Masterclass the luxury hotel has on offer.
Jose Pizarro talks about life since Brindisa and plans for a new cookbook, opening a sherry bar and a new restaurant, both in the London Bridge area.
Jose told us about some of his favourite dishes, and spoke fondly about those family recipes that, however hard he tries, he doesn’t quite get them to taste like his mother made. I think that goes for all of us.