Essential has launched a range of organic, dried, wild-gathered gourmet mushrooms offering a choice of Champignons, Oyster, Porcini, Shiitake and a mixed selection of the four varieties. All are sourced from China and have received the Organic Farmers & Growers Association accreditation.

You don’t need a Thermomix in your kitchen, but then you don’t need a Ferrari in your driveway. It’s all about how seriously you take your cooking and how much fun you want to have getting from A to B. As Jeremy Clarkson might say, ‘The Thermomix is one superb piece of engineering – expensive, beautiful and a joy to drive and I’ve…….. got the keys!’

With the entries flooding in and the preparations well under way, producers the length and breadth of the country, from the Highlands of Scotland to the coast of Cornwall, are rolling up their sleeves and rolling out the pastry to compete or the esteemed title of Supreme Champion ‘Pie of Pies’

If there’s one thing we like here at Foodepedia, it’s a nice cuppa java. A Nespresso machine would be just the thing for us as it’s designed for reasonable family use and is cool enough to sit alongside our iMacs.

No longer seen only as just a close relative of the waccy baccy, hemp has become hip for all kinds of reasons.Hempseed is one of nature’s genuine superfoods that provides pure, plant protein and Omega 3 and 6 in the ideal 3:1 ratio. These nutritional benefits address the downfalls of the 21st Century diet which is commonly short on protein, lacking in Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and low in fibre.

We’ve come a long way since olive oil was only sold in chemists specifically to be poured into a young boy’s ears to loosen blockages (ask me how I know!). The idea of cooking with the stuff certainly never crossed my mother’s mind and even if it had, the bottles were so small it would hardly have been cost-effective.

You may never get to eat at what is officially the world’s best restaurant, but at least you can try the desserts. Flavours of Spain has added to its range of chocolates with a unique offering from Oriol Balaguer – one of the world’s most talented and respected chocolatiers.

Tapas in a Box hands families a way to impress Mum on a plate. Crack open the free bottle of Cava we’re including with Mother’s Day orders, place the superb artisan Spanish meats on a tray, the organic roasted almonds and marinated olives in bowls, put our tasty authentic tapas in the oven, and get the armchair ready for Mum to enjoy a little siesta after her family tapas treat. Be everyone’s Amigo for the day !

Foodies in London will be able to celebrate St David’s Day on 1 March 2009 in style this year thanks to the first dedicated Welsh produce market ever to be held in London. True Taste award-winning producers will be showcasing the very best in Welsh food and drink on Friday 27 February 2009 allowing those who love good food and all things Welsh to stock up for their St David’s Day celebrations at the weekend.

There’s nothing better than attending an event that is not only filled with great food and fun entertainment, but where the profits will benefit farmers around the world. Cafédirect’s contribution to Fair-Trade fortnight this year is a TasteFair full of fun classes, readings by authors for children and adults, a movie screening, and some great entertainment ranging from Quixote and Narration to Vashti Anna and Hador Manor. Centered at Whole Foods in Kensington from Sat 21 February to Sun 01 March, the mix of eco-friendly education, entertainment and good eating is a feel-good event that you do not want to miss. Check out the programme of events to see which exciting guest speakers will be involved and what other events are going on: www.tastefair.co.uk