Tag Archives: Food

Stress Free Dinner Parties Achieved with Food at 52 Cookery School

Planning to host a dinner party or would you like to build up your confidence before the next time you do? Consider attending Stress Free Dinner Parties course Food at 52 Cookery School near Old Street. It’s one of the school’s many courses designed to help ordinary people with ordinary kitchens cook and eat better. I sat in on the full day course and found it to be fun, enlightening and delicious. Continue reading

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New Cocktail Menu at Grand Union Bars

A couple of weeks back I was invited along to sample the new cocktail menu at Grand Union. I Unfamiliar with the London based group of eight bars (and possibly growing) but intrigued when I took a quick look at the drinks I would be offered to try. I’m happy to report I was not disappointed and found GU’s Farringdon bar to be a smart and cosy spot to keep in mind the next time I’m out and about and hankering a drink. Continue reading

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Hey Häagen-Dazs, Gimme Five! #realornothing

Häagen-Dazs is my go-to ice cream. Honestly, much of the reasoning behind my preference is that I know the shops nearest my flat are going to have it in their freezers. Still, given the choice, I tend to buy Häagen-Dazs as I reckon it’s usually the yummiest option (no matter where in London I’m shopping). So, I enjoy it for its flavour – and its nice creamy texture – but the cool thing about Häagen-Dazs products is that their made without any yucky stuff. Continue reading

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Good Stuff

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. Pieminister – Brew Dog Pies British … Continue reading

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Stacks Poutine at Birthdays, Stoke Newington Road, Dalston

In a Canuck-ibly delicious kitchen collaboration with Birthdays bar in Dalston, Stacks Poutine presents a gourmand’s salute to one of Canada’s most satisfying creations along with a line up of other equally nosh-worthy bites. Poutine, in case you haven’t had the pleasure, is a dish of Quebecois origin consisting of fries, gravy and cheese curd. It’s mega yum and the Stacks version yields a damn fine example. Here are some notes from a recent foray through its menu. Continue reading

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Christmas in July? Good Stuff!

Ho ho huh? Here’s a bagful of seasonally premature Good Stuff to stuff keep in mind as 2014 rolls onwards to a hopefully very festive end. With many major brands (and those wishing to be so) hosting sneak preview shows every July to highlight what’s on their nice lists for Christmas, it’s a fun if odd time to be on the consumer end of media. Anyway, I’m never one to turn down an invite to a party – even if I’m not sure if it’s half a month early or late. So, deck the hall and all that jazz as I share some of the more notable Yuletide prospects I came across this past month. Enjoy. Continue reading

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Hyper Japan 2014, 25-27 July at Earls Court Exhibition Centre

Returning to London today through Sunday 27 July is Hyper Japan, the UK’s “biggest celebration of Japanese culture, cuisine and cool.” I popped round for a quickie investigation earlier this afternoon. Here are some highlights from my visit to this annual bonanza of banzai. Continue reading

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Lovely Sunday Lunch at The Latchmere, SW11

Following a major reno, The Latchmere pub on Battersea Park Road has recently reopened under the guiding hand of the Renaissance Pubs group to offer a comfortable and attractive venue (think: Victorian minus any twee fittings) for all those pubby things we like to do as Londoners. Kemey and I paid visit a couple of weekends ago for one of our most favourite of pubby activities – Sunday lunch! – and were more than pleased with our experience. Here are some of the highlights. Continue reading

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Win the Summer Collection from Hotel Chocolat

Ah summer! Just another excuse for enjoying chocolate, right? Well, with Hotel Chocolat’s 2014 range of summertime treats, it’s certainly a delicious option. Fusing together the heady colours and flavours of summer, this delectably seasonal assortment of fine chocolates is just right for sultry afternoons and long summer nights. Keep reading for your chance to win a Hotel Chocolat Summer Collection. Continue reading

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The Pear Tree Pub in Hammersmith, W6

Today (Thursday 24 July), The Pear Tree pub in Hammersmith is offering free BBQ pulled pork finger rolls at two locations. From 12.45 folks from the pub will be outside the main entrance to Charing Cross Hospital, and then from 17.45 they’ll be outside Barons Court Tube. Yum! Continue reading

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BOGOF Bubble Tea at Yao Yao Cha, Earlham Street WC2

From now until the end of August 2014, when you purchase any regular drink at Yao Yao Cha simply mention “tikichris” and you can get another one of equal or lesser value for free. Continue reading

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Get it Fast and Fresh at Vapiano Soho

Not the first (and probably not the last) Vapiano outlet to open in London, but the new Wardour Street location of this global restaurant group with its fast casual take on serving freshly made Italian cuisine was worthy of a visit and my recommendation. Continue reading

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Recipe: Spaghetti Puttanesca

An opportunity to sample a selection of especially delicious olives led to an opportunity to cook one of my favourite dishes: spaghetti puttanesca. As the name suggests, this dish is quick, easy and cheap … and oh so satisfying. Continue reading

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Good Stuff

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. Continue reading

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5 Sensational Blogs about Los Angeles (OneTravel)

Los Angeles is a fantastic city but unless you know it well can prove a heck of a tough one to explore. Why just stick to the beach and major attractions when there’s so much more to see and do? … Continue reading

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New Restaurant Review: INK, Bethnal Green

Definitely one of the most inventive and satisfying meals of the year, my dinner at newly opened INK was a sheer delight. Continue reading

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Kopparberg Urban Forest by @cathiasays

Stepping up for me yet again while I’m off doing something else, the intrepid Cathia Randrianarivo kindly filled in to cover the Kopparberg Urban Forest pop-up festival in Dalston. Cheers Cathia for the ace account of the event and for all the fun photos you took. It looks like you had a blast Continue reading

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Good Stuff and a New Place to Puff

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. Continue reading

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Win Dinner for Two and an Overnight Stay at The Tommyfield London Pub

Located just five minutes from London’s Waterloo and owned by Renaissance Pubs, The Tommyfield now fully embraces its coaching inn roots by becoming a luxurious city crash pad as well as a cracking London local. Tempted? Keep reading to find out how to win a free night’s stay plus dinner for two at this ace Kennington pub! Continue reading

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Restaurant Review: Granger & Co Clerkenwell

I had a lot of fun during my recent visit to Granger & Co Clerkenwell. Aussie restauranteur Bill Granger’s latest restaurant in a selective global portfolio – which includes a well established eatery in Notting Hill along with outlets in Sydney, Tokyo, and Hawaii – features a playfully palate pleasing menu served in a comfortable and lavishly spacious dining room. Here are a few highlights from my dinner. Continue reading

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Breakfast Recipe: Red Eye Gravy with illy Espresso

Red eye gravy is a classic comfort food sauce from my home in the American Deep South. Usually served with ham or bacon, it’s about as easy and affordable to make as it is delicious. The main ingredients are grease … Continue reading

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Tour de France: Cambridge to London with Bonne Maman

I would like to say a massive merci beaucoup to the friendly folks from Bonne Maman for offering me the amazing opportunity to ride along with the Tour de France in the Bonne Maman procession vehicle yesterday from Cambridge to London. It was super cool checking out the Tour’s Village at Parker’s Piece in Cambridge and taking a behind the scenes snoop of all the goings-on and preparations before the race began. And riding in the procession to encounter the tens of thousands of Tour supporters along the way was an absolute thrill. Continue reading

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26 Grains Pop-Up at Old Street Station for the Whole Month of July 2014

Passing through Old Street Station in the morning? Get a free breakfast this Wednesday and Thursday (9 and 10 July) from the 26 Grains porridge pop-up when you mention this blog. Continue reading

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Good Stuff – Imbibe Live Edition

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 … and in this case mostly to sip all from my meander round this year’s Imbibe Live – the “innovative and interactive annual exhibition for anyone who sources, buys or serves drinks in the licensed on-trade.” Enjoy. Continue reading

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Norwegian Salmon + a Scandilicious Freebie

This July and August when you purchase four promotional stickered packs of Morrisons “M” Norwegian salmon at Morrisons supermarkets, you’ll get a free copy of Signe Johansen’s cookbook, Scandilicious, Secrets of Scandinavian Cooking. Just look for the NORGE logo on pre-packed Norwegian salmon when shopping and choose between 440g salmon fillets, 240g salmon fillets and 240g lightly smoked salmon fillets. Continue reading

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4 Foodie Festivals in Italy This Summer (OneTravel)

Anytime is a good time to visit Italy, especially if you are a foodie! And this summer promises a delicious array of events for folks keen to have as many gourmet experiences as possible during their Italian vacation. Here’s a … Continue reading

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Eat Basel: A Tale of Two Surprise Menus

Luckily for me, eating well in Basel is a straightforward matter. Eating well and cheaply is another story all together. But affordable options can be found. Here’s the scoop on two “surprise” dinners I had while in Basel: one a rather upscale affair, the other decidedly low brow and mercifully low priced. I’ve also listed a few other quality venues for food and drink that I came across during my Basel city break. Continue reading

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Rachel Khoo and the Patisserie of Steam at Miele Gallery, Regent Street

Open now until 4 July at the Miele Gallery, Regent Street is a “Steam Patisserie” pop-up featuring treats by TV pastry chef Rachel Khoo made using Miele Combination Steam Appliance including the world’s first ever Doreo, an “exciting dessert hybrid of a doughnut and “the crumbly classic American cookie.” Continue reading

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Win a Discover the Origin Hamper Worth £60 Filled with Quality Food and Wine from Across Europe

Over the past few years I’ve been “discovering the origin” of five of Europe’s yummiest creations: Bourgogne Wines, Parma Ham, Douro Wines, Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese, and Port, five fine foods and wines with Protected Designation of Origin status. It’s been a lot of fun and definitely one of the most delicious topics I’ve ever written about. To celebrate the arrival of summer, a time for picnics and dining alfresco, I’ve teamed up with Discover the Origin to share more than just my words and offer one lucky reader a hamper full of exquisite products for free. Keep reading to find out how to play for a chance to win. Continue reading

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A Delicious June with Genesis Crafty

The six brothers behind decades old Northern Ireland bakery Genesis Crafty (Adrian, Brian, John, Paul, Seamus, and Damian McErlain) recently presented me with an opportunity to become one of the family so to speak … but only for a few weeks. I was their blogger of the month for June. And as such, I took to the kitchen to see what I could cook up to go with their range of handmade small batch baked goods. Continue reading

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Having a Spicy Time on Avery Island: Home of Tabasco Sauce (OneTravel)

In February, my girlfriend and I had a grand ole time road tripping across the Deep South. The definite highlight of our time was in Louisiana, where we enjoyed a range of Dixie delights in dynamic New Orleans as well … Continue reading

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4 Freshly Brewed Blogs about Coffee (espressoCrazy)

Wake up, smell the coffee, and read something stimulating. Here’s a quartet of blogs I’ve been perusing recently and thought might be worth highlighting here with the espressoCrazy community. All four blogs are dedicated to that most inspiring of topics: coffee. Continue reading

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4 Fun Bars in Athens (OneTravel)

Like a lot of sunny Mediterranean destinations, the nightlife in Athens goes late and is, of course, a load of fun. From what I could tell during my recent visit to the Greek capital, Athenians are as friendly as anyone … Continue reading

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Good Stuff

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. Continue reading

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Win an Assortment of Handcrafted Baked Goods from Genesis Crafty

As Genesis Crafty’s Blogger of the Month, I’ve been having a blast sharing my ideas for recipes to pair with the handcrafted baked goods made by this family run Northern Ireland bakery. Now here’s a chance for you to have a go at whipping up your own tasty creations to enjoy with yummy Genesis Crafty scones, pancakes and more! Keep reading to find out how to win a generous assortment of treats from Genesis Crafty. Continue reading

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