Archive for May, 2007

FoodRadio Launches

by Andrew on May 21, 2007 in On The Web with 2 Comments

Food Radio logoFood Radio, soon to launch, is an integrated portal, pod casting and radio programming channel designed for all us foodies.

Initially it will be broadcast on the Classic Gold Network on Sunday afternoons (between 2 and 4 pm) and on Oneword Radio. However as well as being able to listen live through the website www.foodradio.com you can also listen again and download in depth podcasts and vodcasts of the key interviews.

Food Radio will be championing quality local food suppliers, seasonality, the organic message, reduced carbon footprints, Food Miles, sustainability and food provenance – all key issues and of importance to anyone who cares about what they, or their family, eat. “Food is in the news, one way or another, most days and we are all becoming far more aware of the importance of good provenance. We aren’t going to be evangelical about these issues,” says Katie Derham, “but it is becoming an increasingly important factor in most people’s shopping preferences and indeed their whole lifestyle.”

The ‘portal’ will be updated daily with the latest food news, issues and information and will also list thousands of recipes. Radio programming will range from healthy eating and diets, through to food news, ethical issues, food producers and personalities, comparative reviews and what’s happening in the world of farmers’ local markets, supermarkets, local delicatessens and specialist food retailers.

English Wine Week

by Andrew on May 20, 2007 in Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

Think Drink EnglishEnglish Wine Week approaches (26th May – 3rd June). For the food lover there are several opportunities to sample our home-made delights with a range of foods.

In London for example the Addendum Restaurant will be celebrating English Wine Week with a special three course menu, paired with glasses of fine English wines. The restaurant is open for lunch midday – 2.30pm, and for dinner 6pm – 9.30pm, Monday – Friday. Addendum also offers a separate, more casual all-day bar and brasserie. The menu will be served at lunch and dinner throughout English Wine Week, and costs £45 per person. For table reservations and more information, call 020 7977 9500.

While in Exeter the Hotel Barcelona, Magdalen Street is holding an English Wine and Dine Evening where a range of Devon wines will be paired with a full menu from locally sourced ingredients. It is organised in conjunction with Regency Wines, who will be giving a talk on the wines during the evening.

Full details of these and other English wine and food matching events can be found on the English Wine Week website.

Olives – From Britain

by Andrew on May 19, 2007 in In the Press with 1 Comment

Olives - From BritainGlobal warming will have its benefits for us in the UK. Wines of a quality rivalling the French perhaps or how about home grown olives?

The UK’s first commercial olive grove was planted last year in Devon. Mark Diacono, 39, has planted 120 trees on his 17-acre plot on the banks of the Otter, near Honiton, and hopes to harvest his first crop in five to seven years. He is also growing almonds, apricots and persimmon and even plans to experiment with paw paw and Nepalese peppers in addition to the neglected Quince.

“The olive trees were imported from Tuscany, where they experience frost and snow in winter and high temperatures in summer. Drainage on the heavy Devon soil had to be improved, because olive trees are used to growing in thin, rocky soils. But with the rapidly warming climate, it is hoped the first commercial British olive crop will be harvested in a few years’ time.

Perhaps even more surprising, two commercial olive groves have been planted much further north, in Wales and Shropshire. Three hundred Italian olive trees were planted at Wroxeter Roman Vineyard, near Shrewsbury, and the first Welsh olive grove was begun in Anglesey.”

Vegetarian Garden Fair

by Andrew on May 18, 2007 in Tasting Events/Shows with No comments

Someone left a comment on a recent post highlighting a Vegetarian Garden Fair on the 28th. Rather than ‘just’ leaving it as a comment I thought it worthy of a post in itself.

“Bhaktivedanta Manor – the famous Krishna Temple in Aldenham will be hosting a special Vegetarian Garden Fair for everyone on Bank Holiday Monday 28th May, 11am – 4pm. We extend a warm welcome to the public to visit and there will be an array of mouth-watering food and drinks available as well as workshops, talks, and tours.

Exotic Indian and Chinese dishes, a salad bar and noodle bar, organic juices and even pizza and chips… All vegetarian, of course, and promises to be the tastiest day of the year!

There will also be a wide variety of exciting workshops and fun activities, including

• Ayurveda Workshop
• Mantra Meditation Workshops
• Hatha Yoga Workshops
• Mendhi, traditional decorative hand painting and Sari Wearing for the ladies.
• Guided tours of the Manor and its beautiful estate.
• Ox cart rides
• Face Painting for children

All activities subject to weather”

I can’t find any website that details the event.

National Watercress Week

by Andrew on May 16, 2007 in On The Web, Tasting Events/Shows with 2 Comments

WatercressDid you realise that we are in the middle of National Watercress Week? No, me neither…

“National Watercress Week is a fabulous event celebrating this great British superfood.”, said Antony Worrall Thompson, “I am a huge fan of watercress, its distinctive mustardy flavour suits a variety of different dishes, from meat, fish and stir fries to soups and salads.”

He has three recipes available online –

Shepherd’s Pie with Watercress Champ

Thai Grilled Watercress Salmon

Watercress, Mushroom and Cashew Stir Fry

Watercress is one of the top superfoods. National Watercress Week runs from 13th to the 20th May.

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