The Scandinavian Cookbook – Trina Hahnemann

For many, the clichéd aspects of Scandinavian cooking (dumplings, lingonberry jam, pickled everything and the ubiquitous meatball) can be as cloying as my grandmother’s chintzy tapestry cushions and scatterings of nick-nacks, but here Hahnemann uses a much lighter touch. Arranged seasonally, this book takes a temporally sensitive approach to both produce and preparation…

English Apple season launches

I was invited to attend a Dinner to mark the launch of the English apple season on the 29th September at ‘The Deck’, a great venue which sits on top of the National Theatre and has stunning views of some of London’s most iconic buildings. I was also inspired to urge you all to seek out and buy English apples while they are available, which I do, wholeheartedly.

Eight over Eight, Chelsea

Eight over Eight closed down in 2009 as a result of a fire which, given the restaurant’s clientele, was possibly started by a member of the working classes with a chip on his shoulder. It’s no good looking at me though guv, I’ve got a cast-iron alibi.

Leon2 -Naturally Fast Food

Put together by John, Henry, Benny and Allegra, Leon2’s recipes create a strong feeling of sharing good food. There has clearly been a lot of involvement by the extended Leon family and the book certainly adheres to the Leon vision that food should taste good and do you good, and that everyone should be able to enjoy it.