I probably wouldn’t have gone, but having been invited for lunch at the McGuigan wines stand, I decided to go, I’m a bit of a tart when it comes to lunch invitations. Decision made, invitations to attend a ‘seminar’ at the Friuli stand for a Pinot Grigio tasting and to meet with Steven Spurrier about the Decanter World Wine Awards soon came in.
Enter MasterChef Live at the NEC,Birmingham
At the event the MasterChef Live Challenge, which is sponsored by the people at Plenty, the household towel company, will have sixteen members of the public competing, cooking their own signature dish live on stage for John and Gregg.
A father’s day wine selection?
With father’s day coming up you might want to do something special for the old man, like a full on lunch with nicely matched wines to go with the dishes you prepare. Or if you dad’s a guy who likes a glass of wine or two while relaxing in front of the telly, you might just want to drop a few bottles off with your card and leave him to it.
Orchards in the Oasis by Josceline Dimbleby
This is a book to take not just on a journey but also to bed. Its comfortable meander through cities and civilisations (even those that bristle with the bustle of the bazaar) brings restful calm and its fabulous photographs (of places and plates) ensure you end your day with the softest images imaginable. You’ll want it by your sofa and in your kitchen, too.
Help Save the Red Squirrel
Eat Natural are working with the Red Squirrel Survival Trust to try and stop the decline in Red Squirrels. Every pack of their new Eat Natural bars with peanuts, almonds and hazelnuts will help raise funds for the fight.
New menu options at Cigalon, and authentic french restaurant.
Recognising their close proximity to the London Luvvie culture Cigalon have developed two new menus, the first a set menu, which at present will be available to the end of August; the second, a pre-theatre menu which is available to diners sitting down between 5.30 and 6.45.
Simon Hopkinson and Tom Rains at the Montpellier Chapter
Simon Hopkinson, founder and co-owner of Bibendum restaurant in London, is currently supporting head chef Tom Rains at the 74-cover Montpellier Chapter Restaurant in Cheltenham which showcases ‘simple, seasonal and classic British dishes”.
Rains says the two get together and brainstorm frequently, swapping books and recipes but all with the aim of producing ‘straightforward cooking, done well”
Strawberry Tea Time at Breast Cancer Care
Breast Cancer Care are asking food lovers to get baking and host a Strawberry Tea this summer to raise money for the thousands of women affected by breast cancer. So pop on your pinny and try these easy strawberry recipes.
Restaurant safari with Taste of London
Invited to a Soho restaurant safari by the Taste of London people, I accepted straight away. The Safari was to give us a flavour of some dishes that three Soho restaurants, Quo Vadis, Gauthier Soho and Bocca di Lupo/Gelupo, would be serving up at the forthcoming Taste of London, held at Regent’s Park from 16 to 19 June this year.
Fox & Squirrel Architecture Food Walks
With architecture and food at their core, Fox & Squirrel’s team design city walks to cater for cultural foodies around the capital. Let Fox & Squirrel take you on a sapid, cultural adventure as they introduce you to some of London’s unique and undiscovered culinary hotspots…