A couple of weeks ago I was kindly invited along with Cook_inc. magazine to a fund raising dinner. Money raised will be used for scholarships young given to young Italians keen to become professional cooks and to train with chef and educator Niko Romito. The dinner took place in Locanda Rocco, a beautiful, boutique restaurant […]
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.The Lucca restaurant making its point through innovation
Chefs have a choice. Run with the new, the unknown and the experimental, or fill their menus with dishes that cemented their early reputation. Yes, the favourites remain on the list – why would you want to disappoint long term fans of the dish seeking out signature dishes – think Riccardo Camanini at Lido 84 […]
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Slow Wine picking up speed and applause
A Tuscan town famous for its health bearing waters and a being luxury spa destination who’s glory days were back in the early part of last century is now becoming a focal point for the modern incarnation of the natural wine phenomenon. Here in Montecantini Terme, about an hours drive from Florence, growers, wine makers, […]
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Designs for life with Rochini’s table top architecture
There are subtle forces at a play when a table is laid, food plated and served, and ultimately enjoyed. Long before the table is prepared, chefs and craftsmen and women skilled in ceramics have been creating backdrops for your meal. Before the table is prepared, there are questions to be asked. How deep should the […]
Read moreOn the hunt for Alba’s white gold
Early morning mist mingled with the smell of dripping trees, damp earth and wet dog as we set out on a September truffle hunt at a secret location. Cup you hands and breath in the air around the truffle, said Andrea, our weather-beaten truffle hunter guide. “And smell. Breathe in the scent, deeply”. This was […]
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Time to rethink Grape Britain
Grape Britain may be a catchy quote for a newspaper headline or social media post, but it also suggest an intriguing change in climate, attitude and opportunity for the British, notably English, winegrowers. Longer, warmer summers over the past 20 years have finally seen bottles filled with English, mostly sparkling white wine, winning prizes. English […]
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Fusion cooking experiments … CBD oil, Sake Kasu wrapped in sushi
High above the rooftops of a bustling market town in Piedmont, northern Italy a culinary experiment fusing Japanese textures and flavours with an exotic oil made from legally grown and processed hemp, was taking place in a student kitchen. In the room were Phil, a chef and classmate of mine from the Masters in Food […]
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Snap the peel to make the perfect Martini
Want to make the perfect Martini? Well it’s all in the squeeze, apparently. Get a sliver of fresh lemon or orange peel about 4-5cm long and about 1.5cm wide at the middle, pinch the longer edges in you fingers and ‘snap’ over your cocktail, says Richard Ehrlich, martini aficionado, prolific food writer and stalwart of […]
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Tree of Hope Cook Book
A group of west Kent, England chefs, cooks, restaurateurs and artisan food producers have left the white heat of the kitchen and joined with Tonbridge-based charity Tree of Hope to produce ‘The Cook Book’, a tasty collection of lavishly illustrated foodie stories and recipe. Family-focused Tree of Hope latest fundraising initiative is ‘The Cook Book […]
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