Good stuff and lots of it! Here’s the low down on some fine things to see, sip or savour – all of which I’ve recently come across and thought were worth sharing with you. Enjoy.
Bread Street Bar Sessions with Wingmans
Latest street food superstars to take up residency at Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen is Wingmans, a “wing lovin’ trio with a passion for good food and mouth-watering flavours.” I liked their Buffalo wings – a lot. Too stuffed on wings for sweets, I heard Wingmans’ brownies are the bomb. Find ‘em at Bread Street Kitchen’s downstairs bar every Tuesday and Friday in February from 6pm onwards.
Recently released – and completely revised – second edition of Cooking for Geeks by Jeff Potter is a fun and insightful read. Featuring more than 150 pages of new content, the book covering everything from the science of fats to how to make a 500-pound doughnut as well as interviews with chefs such as Jacques Pépin and Bridget Lancaster and over 100 recipes.
CRU Kafe Valentine’s Day Mocha
Ethical, organic Nespresso-compatible coffee capsule brand, CRU Kafe, has partnered with London confectioner, Lavolio, for a one off Valentine’s special. Developed to give some indulgent oohs and aahs to CRU Kafe’s Intense blend, the limited edition Valentine’s Day Mocha, comes attractively packaged with everything you need to make six mochas: two packs of CRU Intense Coffee, a tin of chocolate marshmallows, a tin of cocoa powder, and a recipe card.
Häagen-Dazs Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
Upping the volume on big flavour, Häagen-Dazs’ Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream blends soft cheese ice cream with crumbling biscuits and a rich strawberry sauces that’s sure to wow any aficionado of New York style cheesecake. Got two spoons and a significant other with a sweet tooth and a soft spot for ice cream? A pint of this flavour equals instant Valentine’s success.
Raise your bottle or glass high and toast to … Toast? Yes, newly launched Toast Ale is the UK’s first “bread to beer ale” made using unused fresh and toasted bread donated from local bakeries (for a 60/40 barley malt/bread mix). Brewed at Hackney Brewery, the beer is brainchild of author Tristram Stuart of anti food waste charity, Feedback, with a mission to bring attention to and help reduce wastage and hunger. As noble and novel as it is, the beer is also very good. I’d be as apt to drink this superbly balanced ale as any other, and lovers of real ale should have no qualms in giving it a gulp. Find it at quality stockists, and top shops and eateries such as E5 Bakehouse, Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen, and River Cottage.
